An Ode

jk.

Wassup all!

First off, gotta give a shout out to the main man B. My bro goes BIG. So happy for you and so excited to have a new sister! (Sup Amanda...thanks for telling me btw, Brian still hasnt holla´d since Christmas). Welcome to the fam...good luck. ;) LES QUIERO!

We had a solid week down here talking walking serving teaching eating and repeating. Word.

Conference was amazing. Although it was sad to see 3 wonderful men/servants of God pass away in these past 6 months, I got SUCH a strong/clear confirmation that Elder Rasband, Stevenson, and Renlund have been called by God and are EXACTLY who we need to help lead His church. Elder Rasband is rock solid. Elder Renlund is old school, wise, and a powerhouse. And Elder Stevenson is a humble, simple, pure, loving, and POWERFUL man who reminds me soooo much of my dad and his father. So excited for them. I also loved the talks by Elder Holland and President Nelson about women/mothers. I am so grateful for all the amazing women I have in my life. Thanks for everything. :) I also loved Elder Bednar´s talk, such great lessons from great men who have passed on. And lastly, gotta love the Prophet. Some were worried about his health, but I simply saw a seasoned veteran/man of God testifying of the things he KNOWS to be true. Give him a break, it´s exhausting work--ask me! Here are some thoughts/notes that especailly stood out to me. (I have promised thoughts on the past 2 conferences and never got around to it...hope this makes up!)

• Are we making out discipleship too complicated? - Pres Uchtdorf SatAM
• What lack I yet? - Elder Lawrence SatAM
• Life is not easy, nor was it meant to be. - Elder Cook SatAM
• No love comes closer to Christ´s than the love of a mother. - Elder Holland Sat PM
• In any moment of tempation, bear thy Savior, and thy mother. - E Holland SatPM
• Alma 5:26 ´´can you feel it now?´´ - Elder Martino SatPM
• Remember who you are. - Elder Anderson Priesthood (sup, M and D ;))
• Do we practice what we preach? - Pres Uchtdorf Priesthood
• Story about a deacon taking the sacrament to an old lady in retirment home...shout out of Scott Brown. - Pres Eyring Priesthood
• 6 ways to be an example: word, conversation, Spirit, faith, charity, and purity. - Pres Monson SunAM
• We will be different. - Pres Monson Priesthood
• ´´I will serve the Lord and I will serve you (Pres Monson) with all my heart might mind and strenth´´ . Elder Rasband Sun AM
• DC1: proclaimed by the weak. - Elder Stevenson
• ´´With all my heart I want to be a follower of Jesus Christ´´ - Elder Renlund
• Importance of women... ´´are you done crying? get up and go to work!´´ - Pres Nelson
• True disciples tesitify of the Lord when it is not convenient to do so. - Elder Schwitzer SunAM
• Acting on the Holy Ghost, stories of his dad/MASSIVE love/respect for him. - Pres Eyring (followed by an EPIC hymn ´´The Spirit of God´´.
• ´´PONDERIZE!´´ Epic. Started today! - Elder Durrant SunPM
• ´´Powerful lesson of a lifetime, from a man I love.´´ - Elder Bednar 

If you didnt get a chance to watch.....LETS GOOOO!! https://www.lds.org/general-conference/?lang=eng

Love you all. And miss you all. Especially the homies...stay #fat.
Elder.

Hey all!

Well, today we had an EPIC zone activity. Went to visit an indigenous tribe, ´´Los Sachilas´´. It was awesome...and an epic ride on top of a truck through the jungle to get there. Danced to some tribal drums/flutes/rain shaker/xylophone jams.....it was epic. But it ate up our day....

The work is good. Meeting new people every day and contacting more than ever...finding phase baby!!!

I love you all and hope you enjoy conference!

Elder.

Pics....word.

One what...?

Hey all! I am doing great and love you all!

My comp, Elder F, got changed to the Quito North Mission. Changed as in re-assigned. I am still here in Santo Domingo and am with Elder V, from Argentina. He is a homie!! Huge futbolista and also played rugby before the mish...we are about to get to work!!! (physically...and spiritually!)

It was a great week. Elder F and I had an awesome week together and it was sad to see him go but the Lord works in mysterious ways! Just gotta trust and obey! Also, grampa Manuel got baptized on Saturday. Showed up 3 hours early...haha epic.

Have a great week! Remember, HE LIVES!

ES

:)

On the way to Quito

Hey all! So, starting last week we have 30 minutes less of email time. Which is fine, cause turns out we used to have the more time than any other mission in the whole South America North East Area.... But anyways, starting next week I am going to try to write the group email first, and make it a little more detailed to make up for not being able to respond to some of you right away!

Monday-Wednesday morning I had a mini-missionary. I really didnt want to lose 3.5 days in my sector, so I called President Monday and got permission to be comps with a 18 year old homie who is leaving for the mission in Guatemala in 20 days. It was sweet working with him and giving him so advice. We got some SOLID work done, too. 

Wednesday morning I headed to Quito (deja vu) to pick up my new comp! He is Elder F from Guayaquil, Ecuador! He is a great missionary and I am really excited for another chance to train/learn/grow. We are excited to get to work here in Santo Domingo!! 

Thursday night we got back, and since then have had a few solid days out in the streets. Almost had a crazy last minute baptism yesterday, a super old dude left today to get heart surgery and wanted to get baptized (had been preparing for the following week). President decided we should give him a blessing and hope that he makes it out of his heart surgery and will be able to be baptzed in a few months. Sounds good to me!! Was a pretty fun/hectic sunday morning, though. 

Today was a super mellow pday. Just got organized and relaxed. And got a haircut....like every other week, jaja! #mishlife

Oh, and on Saturday we helped at a Stake Blood Drive for a few hours, then went to a reitrement home and sung to some old folks, it was great. I love old people. Highlight was watching a super old/bent over black man from Esmeraldas (the coast/land of good food and good music and good dance) went harrrrrd on the dance floor. Este viejito sabe bailarrrrrrr!!

Well, I love you!! Have a great week! Until next time...

ES

Buddy who arrived with my comp and lived in one of Elder Cuv´s first wards....#<3

TouchDOWN!!!

Sorry to be really short again...but am way short on time due to having to take care of changes. Speaking of changes. I will be staying here in the coast in Santo Domingo and will be training again...heading in to Quito Tuesday/Wednesday to go pick up my new companion! Super excited for another chance to train and get trained/taught from my new comp!! Hopefully I will be able to help him a bit... 3rd ones the charm, right...?

My comp Elder V is going to Quito, and will be comps with someone from his same group....Ballin! I miss Quito, but will be heading back 2 more times this changes...Quito misses me too. ;)

That one time I killed my zone leaders. (both went home this week... RIP!!)

The work went well. We had a great week. We were in our sector all 7 days and it was EPIC! Got some serious work pumped out and I am super excited for the potential success we can have this change.

I love the mish. And I love you all. Go COUGS!! LETS GO.

Elder Sorensen

Bday of Luis Angel. (leaves to Guatemala in 25 days, will be my comp for the next 2 days)

Bday of Bishop