Week 23: Soy Elder Sorensen

 ¡Hola! I hope you had an amazing week full of goodtimes and spiritual experiences!


This week we decided to order some pollo la braza from a restaurant called Roky's. We made our order and my comp said it would probably take an hour. The zone leaders then asked us to pick up some bautismal clothing at the chapel. Right after we got it Roky's called us and said they were outside our apartment. This was only 30 minutes after we ordered. So my companion starts running and calls them to find a new place to meet. We left the soles we were going to use to pay for it back at the apartment, so I had to buy a bag of Lays potato chips that was half full for 10 soles with a 100 sole bill so we could pay the right amount. I'll say that I didn't feel like a missionary running down the street because we were running for chicken. We could've just called from the chapel and had them deliver it there but my comp just broke out running. Sometimes I'll get separated from my companion a little because he's so short and can weave in and out of people on the busy street. I would crush them if I'm not careful so I end up being slower. Then he seems confused as to why I'm so far behind. I guess he's never been with a tall gringo before. I also want to act like and be seen as a missionary, which is why I hated running down the street for our food. If we were running for a different purpose, maybe, but I didn't want to crash into someone and not look like a missionary just so I could have some chicken. I was thinking, "is this worth it? Is it worth it for chicken?" The chicken and fries were pretty good though so maybe it was worth it. But then again I kind of just get dragged along so whatever happens happens.

On Friday we went to the chapel in California to take language exams. I brought my hymn book so I was able to practice the piano a lot. I'm really not that great but all the latinos think I am so I'll take the compliments. One sister had me teach here the basic notes of the Narnia theme. It took her a while but she eventually got it. Another said she could play three instruments, the triangle, the cymbols, and the timpani. Band people, does that count as three different instruments? I don't know if I would count it but I want to know a band persons perspective.

This week I was asked by the district leader to pretend to be Elder Sorensen. He had switched zones so I was asked to record something with my gringo voice to tell one lady I didn't have time because this one lady really wants Elder Sorensen and only Elder Sorensen to teach her English. He can't do that, so I had to fill the role and say no. I think it worked. I hope they can't tell gringo voices apart. Also lots of the latinos call me Elder Sorensen. I have to give them leway though because we're both about the same height, both have blondish hair, both have glasses, and our last names are similar. So maybe I am Elder Sorensen.

Yesterday in the street we had a man who was smoking come up to us and give us his number and told us to call. He tried to talk to me but he mumbled like no other so there was no chance of me understanding him. Later as my comp was trying to buy something the cutest little Peruvian girl saw me and wouldn't stop looking at me. I couldn't blame her I'm probably the first white guy she's ever seen. She was about 2 or 3 so I started doing random movements with my hands and making shadow puppets. This girl couldn't stop laughing. It was actually kind of sad when I had to wave goodbye to my new best friend. She waved back and said bye to me too.

Great news! Two people I taught in my first area, Tahuantinsuyo, Jhony and Yrene, have gotten married and baptized! All the baptisms I have so far are all people who were baptized after I was transferred. We had a long lesson on the restoration with a man named Aurelio who's very knowledgable of the New Testament, but he was very receptive to our message. We gave him a Book of Mormon and are going to continue with him! We also tried to find a lot of people on a list that was given to us of people in the ward who weren't baptized. And wouldn't you know, but almost none of the addresses exist! So we kinda just walked around looking for nonexistent homes for people who have probably moved to Bolivia or something. Except there was one house we knocked on that nobody answered, but a taxi pulled up with a old woman in it right in front of us just as we were about to leave. She saw us and I saw her say something to the driver and they kept on going. I bet that was who we were looking for and she really doesn't want to talk to the missionaries.

I've been renting Saints recently and also just finished 1 Nephi in the Book of Mormon again. These two books show people going through immense trials. But, despite almost all forces working against them, both Joseph Smith and Nephi remained incredibly faithful and were blessed because of it. Why does God give us trials? For our experience and to refine us into the people he needs us to become. But sometimes in our lives we feel as if the trials that we are experiencing are too much to bear or we may feel as if God is punishing or has abandoned us. While Nephi said this about fulfilling the Lord's commandments, it also works as a way for us to look at our trials, "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them," (1 Nephi 3:7) The Lord isn't going to give us a trial we can't bear. There is always a way to endure it or be conforme in the midst of our darkest hours because Jesus Christ has descended below it all and will not leave us comfortless. In addition to being given strength to endure our trials, according to the words of President Nelson, "Indeed, the precise challenge you regard now as 'impossible' may be the very refinement you need, in His eye," (“With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible” Russell M. Nelson April 1988). What we think may be a punishment from God might actually be the exact thing we need to become who God wants us to become. He has a plan for us, and He will give us the strength and the comfort we need to endure trials and become who He needs us to become.

Well this pday we're having our first mission pday at the mission home with all the missionaries and then a mission conference on Tuesday! So we'll see how that goes. I hope you have an absolutely fantastic day!

Elder Jensen

1. A panorama from the top floor of our apartment
2. Don't mind the reflection in my glasses 
3. Trujillo
4. The chicken I ran for
5. Maybe I am Elder Sorensen







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