A Loving Letter From A Sister

 

 

Dear Eldredge Family,

 

I am slow to send our last dinner photo with Elder Eldredge. The end of summer and the beginning of school snuck up on us and before I knew it, one was over and the other was starting again.

 

 

We were privileged for one last time to feed Elder Eldredge and Elder Curtis before the transfer. Elder Eldredge requested breakfast for dinner and we went all out. We served French toast with our famous coconut syrup, (recipe included) sausage links, hashbrowns, fresh strawberries and blueberries, apple juice and milk. Elder Eldredge borrowed my apron so he would stay clean. I think it was very apropo. If you can't tell from the photo it says, "Sweet is the work."

 

I remember several months ago when a fresh new elder sat at our dinner table for the first time. He was soft spoken, well-mannered, and eager to serve the Lord. I am here to testify to you that the young man who sat quietly at my table has grown into a man on fire! He is no longer hesitant but burning with a desire to share and testify. I am honored that I was able to experience a few of these opportunities with him, and especially grateful that he has inspired me to be a better member missionary. I prayed for more missionary experiences to cross my path and due in part to Elder Eldredge those prayers have been answered. What joy it was to witness the baptism of Tahja. Your son was glowing as he performed this sacred ordinance on this sweet young lady.

 

By now I am sure you have heard of the tragedy that has befallen our mission. The accident occurred 1/2 mile from my sister-in-law's home and our community is grieving with all of the missionaries and the families involved.  One of my first thoughts were of my sweet Elder Eldredge and how this would affect him. We are keeping him especially in our prayers and I went to the temple this morning and added his name to the prayer roll list. I feel his faith through prior trials and his burning testimony will bring him peace and comfort, but wanted to let you know there are many who are praying for him as well.

 

He is dearly missed in our area, but the people in the Lincoln Stake will also be blessed by his excitement and enthusiasm.  I will cherish our time spent together and will fondly remember an evening when we spent time in Tahja's home listening to him play his ukelele and sing some favorite songs. It puts a smile on my face and warms my heart.

 

May your family continue to reap the blessings that come from having a faithful missionary serving the Lord.

 

Best regards,

~Joy Sorensen



P.S. Here's the famous coconut syrup recipe. We have a seminary teacher here who cooks breakfast for his students once a year and shares this delicious treat. It is our family favorite and we love to share it as well.


1 cube of butter (No substitues!)
1 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of real buttermilk
 Mix contents together and bring to a boil, stirring continuously. Let boil for 2 minutes then remove from stove and add:
1/2 tsp. of baking soda
1/2 tsp of coconut extract
CAUTION: When baking soda and cocnut flavor is added and stirred in, the syrup expands to almost double the size! It's very foamy at first and needs to be stirred before serving.  ENJOY!  If you do have any leftover, which you most definitely won't, you can refrigerate and reheat before serving again. It looks a bit unusual but is worth the bravery required to try it.  Elder Eldredge didnt' leave a single drop behind :)

 

 

A News Report on The Tragic Accident

ROCKFORD, Idaho — An LDS missionary from California remained hospitalized on life support Wednesday with injuries he suffered in a car crash Tuesday.
He was not expected to survive, a church spokeswoman said.
Taylor Shane Ward, 19, of Vacaville, Calif., was a passenger in the car driven by his companion, John Floyd, 20, of Deep Run, N.C.



Ward was taken to Portneuf Medical Center, where police initially reported incorrectly Wednesday that he had died. Officers later corrected the information and confirmed that he was in critical condition.



As the two missionaries travelled along state Route 39 just before 6 p.m. Tuesday, Floyd failed to yield at a stop sign where the highway intersects with 100 South in Bingham County, Idaho police said.



Floyd's car collided with the passenger side of a pickup driven by Joshua Morris, 23, of Blackfoot, Idaho, that was heading south.



Floyd was taken to Bingham Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and released Wednesday morning. Morris was treated at the scene.



The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement Wednesday expressing "great sorrow" concerning Ward's condition and noting the death of 10 young missionaries this year.
Elder David F. Evans, executive director of the LDS Church's Missionary Department, said church members feel a missionary's death in a "deep and personal way."



"For the church and particularly for the families of these missionaries who have lost their lives, we know that the loss of even one missionary is far too many," Elder Evans said. "To these remarkable families, we extend our love, our faith, our hope and our prayers. And we pray that peace and comfort will be yours during these times of sorrow."



Evans also expressed his gratitude that accidents or deaths among missionaries are rare, and missionary work is inherently safe. He shared data from the World Health Organization revealing the mortality rate for missionaries is lower than it is for others in the same age group.



WHO reports approximately 205 deaths per 100,000 population of young people. The mortality rate of missionaries is less than one-twentieth that amount.



"Nevertheless, no statistics can lessen the pain of a missionary's passing," the statement reads.
The deaths do not represent a trend, Elder Evans said, emphasizing that the church provides health and safety training to all missionaries, as well as repeated safety instructions for vehicle and bicycle use.



There are more than 77,000 missionaries, including 70,000 young missionaries, currently serving around the world. The number of missionaries serving represents a 38 percent increase since this time last year.



Family members were on their way to the hospital from California, said hospital spokeswoman Brenda Stanley. She confirmed that the missionary was on life support and in "very critical condition."



Ward had been serving in the Idaho Pocatello Mission since July.
"Every member of the church feels the loss of a missionary. We are deeply saddened, and share with his family, friends and fellow missionaries in their grief. We extend to them our love, our prayers and our deepest sympathy," said church spokeswoman Ruth Todd.



Update: Elder Taylor Shane Ward passed away Wednesday September 5, 2013

I’m grateful to know that our Heavenly Father does hear us and knows who we are.

This is the picture from last week's baptism of Tahja Pacey Snooks.

Hello Everyone,

 

Another Baptism!!!!! Alysha Cook was baptized this Sunday at 5:00. She has been meeting with the missionaries for a very long time and finally got her answer! We met with her Thursday and set the baptismal date for that Saturday! Elder Curtis and I were scrambling around for people to come and help out in the baptism. We had it scheduled for 10:00 am Saturday morning. We went to the stake center to fill the fount and there is a hearse in the parking lot!!!! We go to the Relief Society room and there is the coffin! So we did some more scrambling and set the time for 5:00 the next evening. Needless to say, it was a crazy weekend! 

 

The baptism was amazing. The spirit was so strong and we had a great turnout from the ward. Brother Liljenquist, our ward mission leader, baptized her and Elder Curtis and I got to be witness and give talks. I’m going to be confirming her this next Sunday. She has two children, Shaylinn who is 9 and Marshel who is 5. Great kids and the highlight of Alysha's life. She is divorced and working full time but has found the light of Christ and will be a great asset to the ward! I love this little family so much and am so grateful for the opportunity of being a tool in the Lord’s hands.  

 

I’m being transferred. (That means I'll be moved to a different area within my mission.  I'll have a new companion and live in a different house.)  I’ve been in this area for 6 months!!! I can’t believe this is finally here! I knew it would come but I don't want it to be this fast!!! We have so many investigators and so many people who are looking for the Gospel. I don’t want to leave. This place is blooming and I want to be a part of it. But now that I am moving I will start the planting and the harvesting in another part of Idaho. I’m grateful for the experiences I’ve had here and for the lifelong friendships I have made.

 

My new companions name is Elder Olson. That is all I know. I will be serving somewhere on Lincoln Road near Idaho Falls. I’m not too far away from where I started so I will be able to go to the confirmation of Alysha Cook and to the Baptism of Karli Shmitt! I’m so grateful to still be able to have these opportunities in my life.

 

I found an amazing scripture while dong my studies. I was studding prayer and found a scripture found in Nephi's Psalm 2nd Nephi 4:35. Please read it and read it out loud.

 

“Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh.  Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness.  Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God.  Amen.”

 

It is so beautiful. The power and the feeling pouring out of Nephi as he cries unto our Heavenly Father is so moving. I’m grateful to know that our Heavenly Father does hear us and knows who we are. He loves us even when we do know why he would or when we don’t know why he would let us go through such trials that try our very souls, but He does. I so testify. 

 

Elder Eldredge

I Do Not Doubt Nor Will I Ever Deny

 

I’m sorry I didn’t write you last week. We went to Yellowstone! It was tons of fun and we got to go with Brother Rick Landon who is this super amazing member who has helped us out so much!!!! 

We got to go as a district with our Zone Leaders. It was so much fun. Way cool sights. I want to go back when I can stay longer and camp out, go hiking, see more stuff. We had to be back in our areas by 6:00 so we had to cut it a little short.

 

This week has been good, but the highlight would definitely be the baptism!! I got to baptize Tahja Pacey Snooks!!!! She is the sweetest little girl and I love her sssoooo much!!! The spirit was so strong as family and friends gathered to share in this amazing moment in her life. Her family has been struggling with being less active but now I’m hoping and praying that their testimony will be strengthened and they will find the strength to come to church. 

 

Question: How do you build you Faith in Christ? Why do you believe what you believe?

 

I would like you to really think about these questions and discus them with someone you trust. Make it a time of reflection. Search for the core of your answer and find out for yourself what it is for you and how you can improve.

 

These have been the questions on my mind. I do not doubt what I believe nor will I ever deny the feeling, promptings, and knowledge I have gained throughout my life. But it is a good way to reevaluate and find for yourself what you believe. 

 

Faithfully Serving

Elder Eldredge  

 

 

This past week I received contact from people other than Elder Eldredge.  They sent pictures and a few words.  Here's what we received.

 

August 8, 2013

 

A text from Sister Annie Braithwaite to Wendy:

 

"Your sweet son and his companion, Elder Curtis, came for dinner tonight.  He left an insightful spiritual thought before leaving.  Thank you so much for sharing him with us!  He is a remarkable example."

 

 

Our cousins the Dunyons were driving through Idaho Falls and got permission from the Mission President to pay Elder Eldredge a visit.  This has got to be one of my favorite pictures ever of them on their bikes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sharlyn Dunyon wrote: "The visit was great!  We met him at a member's home and then they rode with us to Walmart and back.  They had two dinner appointments that night and so we didn't get to take them out for food.  Also we tried to get them some groceries and they kindly declined. 

 

"He looks great, is happy, and a joy to be with!  Just what you would expect!  It was a pleasure to be able to make that stop!  His companion is very nice and he and Scott talked a lot about Texas.

 

"It's like looking at you (Mikel) when we look at him.  You have done a great job.  Scott got to see him for the first time since he was five."

 

 

 

Who Am I?

Sawyer wanted to share this video with all of us, and I thought I'd add a couple pictures of him as a child: I am a child of God

A week filled with the temple

8/5/2013

 

What an amazing place. this week was focused around the temple. 

 

We took Tahja, the 9 year old who is going to be baptized on the 17th, and her family to the Temple Visitor Center. We had an amazing experience and got to walk around the temple and touch the granite wall. We spoke of how families can be together forever and how baptisms for the dead work, and why we do it. They had a little scavenger hunt that we got to do and had lots of fun! Tahja told us how she wants to go inside someday and we got to explain to her that she can when she is of age and worthy. It was an amazing experience.

 

We have also been working with a recent convert named Braiden. He is an amazing kid. (Do I say amazing to much? I don’t care, missions are amazing.) He went to do baptisms for the dead last Friday and had a great time and really felt the spirit. When we went to visit him he said he had a few questions and I said what better place to talk about the temple than at the temple! So we went to the Temple Visitor Center again with him! We walked around with some Sister Missionaries who could answer all of our questions and did a great job explaining things to us. Another spirit filled afternoon. I love this Gospel! 

 

Karissa Myrdal was baptized on the 1st of August and was confirmed the following Sunday. Elder Curtis got to baptize her, I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and I got to do the Confirmation. I’ve been in the circle before but this time I got to do the blessing. It was amazing. I’m so grateful for the power of the Holy Ghost and the Priesthood. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much and has given us so many tools to come back to him.

 

Whether we know it or not, our father is always there. He loves you and wants to hold you in his arms again. Let’s try our best to return to him by becoming like him.

 

Elder Eldredge 

 

You don't know how strong you are or what you can do till you go through it - or until someone asks you to squeeze an egg.

 Elder Eldredge and Elder Scullion at a soup kitchen.  They served over 180 taco salads that day.

 

 

On July 24 we celebrate the arrival of the Mormon Pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley.  At the Pioneer Day celebration the Elders attended they met a descendent of an Indian who met the Mormon Pioneers in the 1800's and joined the church.  Yep, he came dressed in his regalia!  So Cool!!

 

7/30/2013

Elder Curtis and I have been working hard and getting names this past week and it’s obvious the harder you work the more God will help you in his work. We have 3 Baptismal dates!!! Karisa Myrdal on the 1st of August. Tahja Snook on the 17th. And Sharron Hill on the 24th!!! And tomorrow we are planning on setting another one with Karli Shmitt to help her prepare for her baptism!!! 4 people the Lord has led us to and is allowing us to be the tools in his hand to bring them back to him. It’s amazing the power of being a missionary is. I’m so grateful to be out here and able to help people. It’s amazing!

Another highlight. Tahja ask if I would baptize her!!!! I’m so flippin excited!!!! She is so great and has been growing and growing in the gospel. I love seeing the light in her eyes! I’m so excited!!!

 

Funny story. We were at the Strebels home for dinner and a lesson. We gave a cool object lesson and then Sister Strebel wanted to show us a cool science project she did with her kids. She handed me an egg and told me to try to squeeze it. I was sitting on her couch in her living room. I asked "are you sure?" She said " Ya! You can’t do it, its really cool!" So I asked again, and she said go ahead. You can probably guess what happened. I squeezed and it exploded all over the place. In her curtains, on her couch pillows, everywhere! She was so embraced. She explained that she had tried breaking the egg for 5 minutes and could not do it! After we tried cleaning up I looked down and saw the mess that was all over my pants! I kept looking and it was on my shirt, my tie, and my name tag!!! Lots of laughs were had and lots of cleaning!

 

This past Saturday my Grandfather’s funeral was held. I’m very sad I missed it, but I learned something new about myself during this time. Death is almost a time to celebrate. It’s a time for mourning and growing closer to family members. But death is a stepping stone. It’s progression. It’s a new opportunity to grow in a place where there is no pain or sickness. My grandfather suffered with cancer for a very long time. Now he is a spirit working with the others who have passed on to help those down here who need it. I once read a poem writen by President Gordon B. Hinckley. It goes like this.

What Is This Thing That Men Call Death?

What is this thing that men call death?
This quiet passing in the night?
‘Tis not the end but genesis
Of better worlds and greater light.

O God, touch Thou my aching heart
And calm my troubled, haunting fears.
Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,
Give strength and peace beyond my tears.

There is no death, but only change
With recompense for vict’ry won.
The gift of Him who loved all men
The Son of God, the Holy One.

 

The Plan of Salvation, or the Great Plan of Happiness brings a state of rest to those who have lost a loved one.  Here is a great video that explains this great plan.

 

http://www.mormonchannel.org/more-videos?v=1838710831001 

 

This life is hard. But this plan makes it worth it.

Serving faithfully

Elder Eldredge

I Know It With My Whole Soul

 

7/22/13

 

We’ve got a baptism coming up! Karisa Murdal!!!! She will be baptized Aug. 1st (Yes on a Thursday, it’s when she has a day off) and then confirmed on the following Sunday!!!! I’m so excited for her to become a member of Christs’ Church and to fully accept the truth into her life.  It’s been amazing seeing the light of Christ shine brighter and brighter in her eyes in the past month we have been working with her. She has said herself that she has felt the spirit more and has received more and more blessings. Her children used to get sick a lot, now they are better. She has been finically burdened and it is becoming lighter. It’s amazing the things God does for his children to show them the light.

 

Another great update! Tajah Snook (the one I asked Gabe to pray for) came to church this week!!!! We have really worked on building a trust and friendship and helping her see the truth. Sister Snook, Pamela, is a less active and I have seen the Light of Christ come back into her eyes as well!!! I’m so excited for this family!!! We hope to have Tajah baptized sometime this next month!!!

 

My new companion!!! Elder Curtis is great! He is 21 from Houston!!!! Believe it or not he actually lives 15 minutes away from me!!! He went to Kline High school and knew Madie. It’s crazy that we ended up together. Another crazy thing is he has been out only a week longer than me. So he and I will probably fly home together!!! Crazy!!! Elder Curtis loves playing Soccer and is getting his major in Computer Science.  He hopes to work for Intel when he gets home. He is the youngest of 5 children, the first 4 being sisters!!! Poor guy! He became less active and went through a hard time in his life. But he knew he needed to serve a mission, so he got his act together and went to work. I’m very excited to be working with him.

 

Since Elder Stephens is gone and I’m the one who knows the area it’s been pretty stressful trying to fill our days and keep working. I made a promise to never go home early. I have heard too many 8:50 pm miracles to go home early. There is work out there and we are doing it through the members. This last Sunday we did a "Search and Rescue" in the Township Ward. All the leaders of the different organizations got together and were given names to go find in the ward. We got to go with Bishop Polson and the ward secretary (sorry I don’t remember his name) and try and find them! In the end we got a ton of names to go visit of people who were interested and wanted visitors! It’s amazing how as soon as the wards start working the work of salvation, God gives us people to bring back to him.

 

I know this is the truth. I know it with my whole soul.

 

With all my love,

Elder Eldredge

If God is with us, who can be against us? His Grace is sufficient.

 

This picture was sent to us from our friend from Texas, Rebecca Lasswell, who stopped by Sawyer's and brought him cookies!  The Lasswells are originally from Idaho Falls and go every summer.  I'm so grateful for all the love that's been sent Sawyer's way.

 

7/15/13

 

Talk about Crazy

 

So much has happened and so much will be changing. We got the transfer calls this week and Elder Stephens is going back to Pocatello and I’m staying here. My new companion’s name is Elder Curtis. The crazy thing is he is coming here form the Utah, Ogden mission!  No one knows anything about him cuz he’s changing missions!!! I hope he’s cool and will help me find more people to teach and bring to Christ. The day before this info came to us, Elder Stephens and I went on transfers with the Zone Leaders. Elder Marrell came with me in my area. Which meant I was in control all day. I had to figure out who to contact, where to go, who to see, and I lead all the lessons that day. I’ve been dreading transfers because I haven't felt ready to be the senior companion. But I did it. It was a good day and I felt like I had done all I could and gave it my all. I still have a lot to learn, but now I know I can do it!! These next few weeks are going to be hard ones, but if God is with us, who can be against us!!!

 

I also had a wonderful surprise! Sister Lasswell and Sophie Lasswell stopped by and doped off cookies!!! WOW thanks so much!!!

 

This week I’ve been studying Grace and how it works in our lives. There is a talk that I was able to get called "His Grace Is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox. It’s amazing.

 

Here is a link to read it. http://www.lds.org/new-era/2012/08/his-grace-is-sufficient?lang=eng 

 

What I love about this talk is how simple yet never ending I have learned Christ’s grace is.  It is in every decision we make, every movement we take. Without it we would never be able to return to our God. And we will be forever indebted to Christ for it. Now it is our turn to give thanks for what he has done and "follow him." If we could all understand the concept of Grace, we would realize how very real the possibility of making it into our Father Kingdom really is! We can do it!! We must first accept Christ as our savior and by so doing follow is teaching and try to be like him. 

 

I hope all is well with you and I pray God will touch your heart and bring you closer into his fold.

 

Love Elder Eldredge

Light and Darkness

7/8/2013

 

 

To Everyone,

 

Sorry about not writing very much the last 2 weeks.

 

This week was great! We had an all day P-day for the 4th of July!!! We spent it with the Watson Family; our Ward Mission Leader in the Victorian Village Ward. Sister Watson is the same lady who went to Texas and had lunch with my family. We got to meet most of her family and hang out with them. There was a HUGE firework show that was put to music that played over the radio!!! We even got permission to stay out late to see the show!!! 

 

Austin Olsen, the son of Sister Olson the woman who was baptized by her husband at the beginning of last month, went out with us twice this week. He got his mission call to Kansas! He has biked around with us and sat in on lessons and gotten to know what we do a little better. He’s a great kid and really good at talking so that takes a little off of me who is terrible at talking!!!

 

The work has been really slow. We haven't been able to teach much of our investigators. They have all been gone doing stuff or busy during this holiday week. We could really use prayers for the people we have found and teaching.

 

The last baptism we had was Shayla on the 15^th.  I set a date with Ali Cook for the 22^nd but it fell through.  The people who are close to baptism are Karli Schmitt, Sharon Hill, Ali Cook and Tajha Snook.  (ha ha wow, all girls).  We are hoping to have one soon but I’m here to help people become truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ, not just make a half-way decision, get baptized and then not be active in the Lord’s church.  So we are taking it at their pace.

 

This next Sunday Elder Stephens and I will be singing "A Childs Prayer" in the Therwood Ward. I’m super nervous and not looking forward to it. But I will do what I can to help as much as I can.

 

I read President Uchtdorf’s talk on Light and Darkness today. This talk has become such a huge strength to me in healing from loosing Madie. Today when I read it, it was obvious to me that the way to get out of the darkness is to look outside yourself and serve others. He said "As you walk toward the hope of God’s light, you will discover the compassion, love, and goodness of a loving Heavenly Father, “in [whom there] is no darkness at all." Compassion, Love, Goodness; these are all attributes of Charity, the pure love of Christ. As we enable Charity to come into our lives and help us act in others’ lives we will step out of the darkness and become the light for others. I will try and pray that I will be able to do just that. Step out of the darkness and become a light.



Love y’all!

Elder Eldredge

 

To read the sermon Elder Eldredge talks about go to:
 http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/the-hope-of-gods-light?lang=eng

From the sermon:

"To me, the darkness and light in this painting are a metaphor for life. It is part of our condition as mortal beings to sometimes feel as though we are surrounded by darkness. We might have lost a loved one; a child might have strayed; we might have received a troubling medical diagnosis; we might have employment challenges and be burdened by doubts or fears; or we might feel alone or unloved.

But even though we may feel lost in the midst of our current circumstances, God promises the hope of His light—He promises to illuminate the way before us and show us the way out of darkness."

 

Entrance Into Enlightenment by Johan Benthin

 

 

 

 

Just a quick note and a few pictures

 

June 24, 2013

 

So ya my birthday is tomorrow!!!! I’m going to be 19! I’m super excited!!!

 

The Lord has blessed my companions and I so much. The Baptisms we have had have been evidence of that. The Lord prepared these people to be baptized now and to receive the blessings of the Holy Ghost. Glory be to the Father.

 

I’ve been sick. This cough has really taken a toll on me. But last night Elder McCain gave me a blessing. He said according to my faith I would be healed.  And last night was the best rest I’ve had in a long time. But the scripture 2 Nephi 25:23 kept coming to my mind. "After all we can do" So I did all I could to help my cough go away and the Lord did the rest. Thank you Heavenly Father for all you do for me.

 

Sorry this one is short. I love ya’ll sssssooooo much and I’m so grateful for all you do for me.

 

Never Stop Praying.

 

Elder Eldredge

Here's a picture of Sawyer wearing a "Les Miserables" pin that Mikella made and Joe sent to him.

 

 

Sawyer's new favorite tie with polka dots on the knot and stripes down the front.

 

Here's what Sawyer said about this picture: "This is the field next to the church.  It was full of knee-high weeds and now it's this!"  Guess he's learning the difference between weeds and alfalfa. :)

 

Sawyer's companion plays the guitar, and for Sawyer's birthday he asked for a ukulele.  Here he is getting a lesson on his uke.

 

A Sister in one of the wards Sawyer serves in brought over this special treat for the missionaries.

They are faithful and excited and obedient and awesome

 

 

We've had several people contact us about what a faithful, hardworking missionary Elder Eldredge is.  We even got a visit from the wife of one of the ward mission leaders that works closely with Sawyer.  She told us that she doesn't remember ever having such great missionaries in their ward.  Here's a letter from the family Sawyer ate dinner with Sunday night.  The father is the Bishop of one of the wards Sawyer serves in.  It truly is a blessing to know that Sawyer is such a diligent servant of our Savior, a true and faithful disciple of Christ.

 

Dear Eldredge Family,

 

Here comes the latest edition of Sunday dinner at the Sorensen table featuring Elder McCain, Elder Eldredge, and Elder Stephens. As usual, the missionaries were the perfect dinner guests, complimenting the cook and eating everything on their plates. We enjoyed pulled pork sandwiches, salad, watermelon, and cheesecake with toppings of their choice. Our conversation was very mission-focused this evening as they came to our house right after the worldwide leadership training meeting. Bishop Sorensen, myself, and our son Eli are going to commit to being more prayerful to help find people for these fine young men to teach. Elder Stephens favored us with some after dinner serenading. An enjoyable time was had by all.

We love these missionaries in our area. They are faithful and excited and obedient and awesome. Y'all have raised great sons.

Have a great week!

Sister Sorensen

Learning To Live By The Spirit

 

 

Another Baptism!!!!!

 

Shayla Pierson was baptized on the 15th by Elder Stephens!!! It was amazing!!! Elder McCain gave the opening prayer and I was asked to give a quick talk on baptism. There were tons of little kids there and they all sang "I Like to Look for Rainbows." It made me think of my baptism and my family singing that song to me!

 

Shayla is an amazing girl. Her mother was able to make it to the baptism on Saturday and the confirmation on Sunday!  She has been scared to talk to us and we had a great conversation with her and were able to showed her we are just normal people! Shayla is so full of light and will be a great example to her family throughout the years. Please pray for her that she might stay strong being the only member in her family and only 8 years old! 

 

Happy Birthday Elder Stephens!!! Sister Newman was an angel and made this huge party for us when we got home :) She’s the greatest!! So something funny about Elder Stephens, he always carries a spoon and chopsticks with him wherever he goes. The chop sticks he had were just the cheap wood ones that you get at the restaurant so I got him a pair of really nice ones with little ninjas on them.  He also got a package from my family of three matching gold ties!!!! They are super awesome!!!! I love my new tie and we all look great in them!!! His family sent him ingredients to make buttermilk pancakes and a pie!  

 

 

That same day we ran into an excommunicated member. His name is Brother Goodwin and an amazing individual. You know how when you walk into a building or a home there is a spirit there, whether good or bad, but you can feel it. When we walked into Brother Goodwin's home there was a strong spirit of peace. Not something you would expect from an excommunicated member. He lives in this huge, beautiful home next to the Snake River. We sat in his living room and discuses his beliefs and tried to find how we can help him come to church.  He is amazing. You would have never guessed that he had left the church. I’m so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost and the power of the Atonement. 

 

“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”                                Galations 5:22-23

 

The Holy Ghost has become a huge tool in the work and in my life. Just the other day I was biking and was about to pass an RV when I had the thought, "I’d better pull away from the RV. It would really stink if someone opened the door from inside and took me out." As I moved over, someone did open the door and I was well out of the way and we passed without any harm. 

 

The thing I want to focus on in this story is the thought I had. It sounded like my voice in my head, no warm fuzzy feeling. The heavens didn't open up and command me to move over 3 feet to avoid getting hit.  It sounded just like my voice.  The spirit is very simple but takes eternity to fully understand. It is given to us to help, and protect; to tell us right from wrong. But the trick is knowing or recognizing when it’s speaking.

 

“For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil.”                                                                         Alma 5:40.

 

EVERYTHING good comes from our Heavenly Father. That includes our thoughts. Whether it is us or the Holy Ghost, it comes from God. I’m so grateful to have this gift; this gift that helps me when I teach, helps me when I’m travailing, helps me when I don't want to breath anymore. The Holy Ghost can not dwell in unholy temples. We must protect our temple, our selves, and always invite the Spirit to always dwell with us. 

 

Yesterday I met the brother of "Elder Groberg," the guy from the movie "Other Side of Heaven." It was cool hearing how the movie was almost 100% accurate. The only parts they really "hollywoodised" was when he was taking a bath and all the little children came, and when he was on the hike with the family and the daughter "hurt her ankle."  That’s amazing!!!  "Kolipoki" is living in Bountiful with his wife and they give talks and devotionals all around.

 

 “What shall we then say to these things?  If God be for us, who can be against us?”

                                                                                                                         Romans 8:31

Your friend and Companion in Christ

Elder Eldredge