3-17-10 "Camera Can't Lie"

I have to say I love this picture of Whitney so much. It will probably appear on the book jacket of her first best seller, entitled, The Road Less Taken. Watch for it in a bookstore near you in about 2-3 years.
Sister Hoskins and Sister Sorensen....pausing from a day of tracting to smile for the camera.

A trip to the Houston Temple. Whitney has been greatly blessed to be able to attend the temple almost monthly on her mission. I know not all missionaries are allowed to do this and she can testify of the great blessings that the temple has brought to her while she serves.


Plus, after the temple session, you can always have fun striking clever and creative poses for the camera. Missionaries are such hams!

Whitney meets John Wayne. He wasn't quite ready to hear the good word of God, but if you close your eyes and listen real hard I think you can hear him say,
"Well, hello, there, little lady."
It takes real true grit to be photographed by a poster outside the door of a complete stranger!

3-15-10 "Beware the Ides of March"

Guess what? I forgot about Pi day. Well, almost. Actually, last night one of the elders called us to say, "Happy Pi Day!" I was very sorry I'd forgotten about it. But I wasn't really craving pie. And I could only remember this much of Pi: 3.14159. So I'll submit myself to the contest, but assume that I lost. However, I remember my Shakespeare very well, because I know today is the Ides of March, an ominous day if one is Julius Caesar, but not so much if one is a missionary. Because today I have been in Texas for eight months. Crazy!

I'm sending a couple of pictures. One is of me with the Tomball High School cougar statue. I'm imitating it, although I'm not that kind of cougar. I'm the BYU kind, of course. The other one is of Sister Hoskins and Sister Smith on their way out to do missionary work one day. I'm really trying to remember to take more pictures. This week we're going to the temple, so we always get some good ones there. I wish I could send more. I have a whole bunch of our bowling excursion a few weeks ago, but I can't decide which to send. So I'll send them later.

This week we were either mistaken for paparazzi or celebrities or both. Here's the scoop: we were on our way home for dinner one evening, just driving along the highway. We notice a school bus next to us, but then we realize that instead of saying SCHOOL BUS, some of the letters have been scratched out so it says C-OOL BUS. Sister Hoskins gets her camera out and starts snapping photographs, and Sister Smith is doing some pretty clever driving to keep us in the right place to get said photographs. Soon we're on the back right side and someone in the bus comes walking back and waves at us! But it gets better! As we speed past the bus, everyone on the bus starts taking pictures of us. We're talking six cameras with flash pointed at our little missionary mobile. Best story of the week.

We've still been tracting and tracting and tracting like crazy, but the ward continues to support us with meals and everything else. Sister Tetreault is one of my favorite people. A second mother, if you will, and one of the nicest ladies I've ever met. She took us out to lunch last week, a little cafe in town called "Whistle Stop." I'm sure it gets its name from the same source. Delicious tortilla soup and a great sandwich. I have a business card I'm going to send you. Great place.

I'm also happy to report higher spirits and more joyful days. The more I focus on missionary work and throw myself into it heart and soul, the easier it is to find joy in meeting so many new people everyday, even when some are less than nice. Like the lady who threatened to call the police on us for tracting in her neighborhood. She didn't.

Hooray about Cody! Hooray! He's going to be an amazing missionary. Which reminds me. Yesterday we got invited to go to Brother Tetreault's primary class since the lesson was on " I want to be a missionary." We told the story of Ammon, and at the end of the class, he gave all the little seven-year-olds future missionary badges. If you want the picture, e-mail Sister Tetreault. I'm sure she could get you a copy.

Dad, thanks for the news about the Chilean missionaries. We all enjoyed it. It's amazing to see what the Lord can do through revelation if we only but listen to His counsel.

I feel like there's more to say, but maybe I'll send another e-mail when I re-read yours.

Love,
Sister Whitney Mikell Sorensen

P.S. I'm glad to hear my handwriting looks good, because I've been practicing. And my typing skills are definitely low today. I've caught many typos, but I'm sure some slipped through. Please forgive.

3-8-10 "March is in the air..."

Thanks for the pictures. I love the ones of Eli playing the piano. He's my little maestro. I think there's a similar picture of him playing the piano when he's a baby. It could be like a visual representation of the progression of his musical talents. Macy and Jace look so grown up! He looks just like Cade, and her hair is getting so long! Love, love, love the vocabulary choices he's making. That's my boy! Cassidy and Conor look great in their Alice in Wonderland glasses, although I'm not sure how a big screen movie in 3-D would be. I'm not really sure I'm keen on the idea. I think it would make me seasick, personally, but hopefully it was good.

Also, many congratulations to Miss Bullock for her big win. She's always been my favorite, and I'm certain it was well-deserved and that she delivered a classy speech in a classy dress, because she's just that kind of classy lady. Or so I hope. No worries about letting me know about "worldly" things. I get excited for them, but it doesn't really take my mind off the work. I almost think that for me, personally, it would take my mind off of it more NOT knowing. Like when I ask about tennis and stuff. Be sure to keep me posted if you can about March Madness. I realized this week that this is the first time since I started doing it in seventh grade for Mr. Patterson's class that I won't be able to fill out a bracket for the NCAA tournament. Oh well. No biggie. Life goes on.

Speaking of which, I can hardly believe it is already March. Where does time go? February seemed like kind of a slow-moving month, but March promises to be more fast-paced and exciting. We are still working endlessly on finding people to teach, trying to change up a few things so that we can have more time to work and find. This week was one of the hardest of my mission so far. We knocked and knocked and knocked and knocked, and only had just a few long conversations. Neither of those individuals became investigators, and we are having a really hard time getting in touch with the investigators that we do have. I know Satan is trying to hedge up our ways, but I'm trying to throw his discouraging and doubt-ridden thoughts aside the moment they arise. Saturday and Sunday were especially hard days. I started thinking I was a failure in this area, that I haven't done anything good or worthwhile since I got here, and that I should just give up. Now, who does that sound like? I have come to realize that any extreme thought usually come from Satan. Ideas like "you've done nothing" or "the Lord cannot use you." I really have to fight them off because sometimes they feel so enticing and, although it sounds strange, comforting. There's something oddly pacifying about feeling you've been judged and found worthless, so you don't have to try anymore. But I know that that is not what I want, not what would make me happy. So I just have to take the time to banish those thoughts and temptations. And I tell myself that He wouldn't be tempting me if there wasn't a great work in store for me to accomplish for the Lord. Why would he come to Joseph Smith in the sacred grove if he didn't see Joseph as a threat to his kingdom? I must be doing something right, or he wouldn't be tempting me. So, to sum, thanks for your prayers. I can feel them. We will be blessed and guided to the right people and families. Keep me in your prayers.

Yesterday night was when things started turning up. We had dinner with our ward mission leader's family, and that was just calming and peaceful. He encouraged us and expressed great faith that we will be able to find success. Then we were able to visit a less-active couple that is really desiring to come back to church. They have eight cats, each with its own story and personality. I love it when we get to visit with them, because I am strengthened by their sincere faith and hope in the gospel. I feel blessed to be able to associate with them. And last, we got to visit with my favorite little recent convert family in the Spanish ward. The young girl we've been working with even made us chicken and rice. Delicious! Or, should I say, delicioso! As I was sitting there in their home, I watched Sister Hoskins and Sister Smith interact with the kids for a few minutes, and my mind wandered to the feelings in that home. The Spirit of the Lord is so...abundant there. It's not an overwhelming, slapped-in-the-heart by the Spirit kind of feeling. It's more like you walk in and five minutes later you're just happier and calmer and more peaceful than you've been in a long time. And it can only be attributed to the Spirit they invite into their home. Their home feels almost like a temple, helping me regain a perspective. At least it did yesterday when I was feeling so down on myself. Pure joy. It feels like a foretaste of the fruit of the tree of life. Even my minimal interactions with this family are one of the greatest blessings of my life. And I've done nothing to deserve them. I only know that I experience them, and I cannot find words for how precious they are to me.

Hmmm, it feels like I've come to the end of my letter, but I'm sure there are more things to say. I'm glad you are enjoying your fun events at the Colonial. Greetings to my favorite folks in Mackay. I love you both! Congratulations to Phil Crepeau. He can greet Minneapolis with a smile. And a million hoorays for Cody. He's still my brother, more than any elder I know on the mission who's ever felt like a friend and brother. I know he will bless many lives as a missionary.

Love to all,
Sister Whitney Mikell Sorensen

3-1-10 "No Novios"

My apologies in advance in case of any blatant typos. This computer has a stiff spacebar, so I'm doing my best, and it's getting a little better, but even the best editor cannot catch everything when she's on a time limit. Please take this into account. Many more thanks.

What a week! We had zone conference on Wednesday, which was all about faith and obedience. Zone conference is always a spiritual boost, but this time more than ever before I was determined to take what I learned there and not just let it be spiritual truths recorded in a notebook, but actual principles that I put into practice. Lucky for me, I got to do so right away by going on exchanges with some Spanish hermanas. One of them went with Sister Hoskins and Sister Smith to work in our area until Friday morning, and I got to stay in their area and work with Hermana Christensen. I felt like I was on fire that day. My fear of tracting has almost entirely vanished, it seems, and at the risk of sounding prideful, I won't say I love it, but I will say that I see so much more purpose in it now, and I'm really trusting that God will help us find people through that means. Anyway, back to Wednesday. Hermana Christensen and I did just a little bit of tracting, and we saw a few people who were interested in maybe having the sisters come back at another time. Always a good sign. Sometimes you go tracting and no one has any real interest at all. That night, we were able to teach two first lessons. We were trying to find William, someone the sisters had met before and who wanted them to come back. But we knocked on the wrong door. But the young woman let us in to talk to her. She has quite a difficult life, but she is looking for a church. I love being able to testify about God's love using the Book of Mormon. And after we met with her we did find and teach William. Luckily, all of this was able to happen in English so that I could be a support to Hermana Christensen. The next day was not as easy. It seemed like no one was home, or no one would open the door, or no one had time, or a million other things. But we kept going. Finally, in the mid afternoon, we were able to teach a lesson to the teenage sons in a family the hermanas have been teaching. We taught the ten commandments, the law of chastity, and the word of wisdom, and we did it the only way that every really works: straightforward with no mincing of words or beating around the bush. (Although with a few more words than Mom's usual strategy: Don't do drugs. Don't have sex.) And then my favorite part of the day: we had a conversation with the mom in the family. In Spanish, because she speaks very little English. You'll be pleased to know that I held my own, although my vocabulary is not what it once was, and my verb conjugations in different tenses are less than stellar. Although sometimes I would start thinking of a response in German in my head, I eventually was able to get the Spanish to start flowing unimpeded. There were only a few times when I didn't understand what she was asking me. We talked all about my family and my education and my plans for life. For some reason, the only time I had a hard time producing a truly coherent answer was when she asked, "Tienes un novio?" ("Do you have a boyfriend?") All I could say was, "No novios!" She got the message. We giggled and laughed. It was just one of those moments you wish could go on forever, like meeting a kindred spirit and somehow communicating both with and without words. Words are only one medium of creating friendship. One of my favorite mission memories so far.

Back in good old Tomball, the work continues to move forward. We've had more luck in being able to teach lessons to people who've expressed interest in the past. We got to teach one man who lives right down the street from our ward mission leader, and he said he would read the Book of Mormon. What a victory! That is the most vital resource we have to aid in conversion. I know it is at the center of my own testimony of the gospel, along with the witness from the Holy Ghost that its message is true. As time goes on in my mission, I see my own weaknesses in even greater light, but that only gives me greater resolve to conquer them. I'm striving to open my mouth more readily to absolutely everyone I meet about the message we carry. It's starting to feel like time is running out, and there is so much more work to do. No matter the challenges, I know the Lord will guide us to the right people, or He will guide them to us. We are going to have great success, and none of our efforts are wasted. We started meeting once again with the Vietnamese lady we were teaching when I first arrived in Tomball. It will be a challenge for her to progress in the gospel, since her husband presents some opposition to her, but he doesn't stop us from coming to visit her. We are praying that his heart will be softened, and in the meantime we are striving to help her maintain her growing testimony.

I am so relieved to hear that Mark is okay. We heard about the earthquake at our first appointment on Saturday morning, and I immediately thought of him. I was sure you all would be worried but faithful. I'm glad to hear so many prayers have been answered. His mission certainly will be different from what he expected it to be, but in times of crisis servants of the Lord have such a great opportunity to show the Lord's love for everyone. A few years ago there was a semi-severe hurricane in the Houston area, and the missionaries spent two or three weeks just going around neighborhoods helping with clean up. I know that in those tragedies the Lord has a way of preparing the way for the gospel to be received and softening hearts. Including if that service is at a food pantry doing more than just dropping off cans.

Tell Eli that scriptural comics still leave plenty of room for creativity. Sister Hoskins likes to draw them, too, actually. She most recently drew one of the last chapter of the Book of Ether. I did get your news about Jordan Walker. I'm not sure I remember him, but I'm sure I would if I saw his picture.

Oh. The Olympics. Over once again. Sounds good. I have no regrets about Team Canada winning on home soil. It's how it should be. Let's face it: nothing could ever beat 1980. And who won the women's figure skating gold? Any one I know? Probably not, since you didn't bring it up. Here's to counting down to London. Those will be amazing.

Must go. Gotta do some shining. Actually, we're going bowling today. Wish me a few strikes and a score of over 100.

All my lovin,
Sister Whitney Mikell Sorensen

2-22-10 "It's Basically Useless But Totally Amazing!"

I can't remember what brought it up, exactly, but this week I decided that the subject line would be a great slogan for some crazy product. Something like Billy Mays used to sell before he bit the dust. As long as you say it in a loud voice, people would want to buy it. Kind of a lame start to the e-mail, but we thought it was funny at the time. You probably had to be there. Anyway, I'll tell Elder Parker he loses points for originality but retains them for creativity. And no matter what, it's a great turn of phrase.

Speaking of useless but awesome things, yesterday we were eating lunch with a member and we met some creatures called "nutrias." They're in the dictionary and everything. As we drove up to her house, she has a pond, and Sister Hoskins looked out the window and yelled, "Beavers! Beavers! Beavers!" Sister Vidrine was saying, "They're not beavers; they're nutrias." But since we'd never heard of nutrias, we thought she was kidding. No. She wasn't. Nutrias are medium-sized water rats with webbed feet, red pointed front teeth, and long rat-like tails. At first I thought they are going to be gross, but they weren't that bad, and totally Southern. Sister Vidrine keeps them as pets, and she was so sweet with them. Sister Hoskins held one in her lap for half an hour while it ate a bagel. Also, they don't smell at all. Surprisingly sweet. Nutrias: basically useless, but totally awesome. Look up their picture on Google TODAY! (Are you sold yet?)

Housekeeping: Congratulations to the soon-to-be Mrs. Ronnie Stringfellow. I'm sure he's great. Watson is a nice name for Roger and Jen's baby boy, although I'm fairly certain if this kid ever has a sidekick it'll be Lewis. "Watson and Lewis." Nice ring to it, don't you think? As for where the yearbooks are, you've kind of stumped me. I thought they were still on my bookshelves somewhere, probably on the far left in the closet, although I might actually have put them behind the books on that side of the shelf. Or they might be behind the books or binders in the middle shelves. Or in my desk drawer, bottom right (the one with a couple of built-in dividers). Maybe they're even on that little thing with wheels right next to my bed somewhere. But if they're not in one of those places, your guess is as good as mine. Hope that helps. I'm really curious about who this Jordan is. The only name I can remember is Jordan Johnson, but Jordan is such a common name that it could be quite a few more people than that. Whoever this person is, I hope you discover somehow. And if you see him again, give him my congratulations on being called to the Houston area. He's going to love it.

This week we finally got in with a media referral named Eddie. Great name, eh? He is very open about the gospel, and doesn't feel like he's attached to any church necessarily, although he has a strong Christian faith, and does NOT believe in the Trinity. I love it when that happens. One of the most prevalent false doctrines out there, and they just outright don't believe it. It's happened to me a few times on my mission, and such people are always special. We invited him to church yesterday, but he didn't make it. In addition to trying to find new people to teach, one of our biggest struggles right now is keeping in contact with the investigators we do have. They either live far away, or hardly ever answer the phone, or are hard to get a hold of. Nevertheless, persistence is key and our efforts will be rewarded.

We are also helping the Spanish elders right now with one of their investigators. She is a young teenage girl, whose family speaks Spanish, although she knows English very well. She's had quite a few struggles in her life, but we're trying to help her discover her worth as a daughter of God and find the joy of the restored gospel. Sister Hoskins has a special connection with her, but I feel blessed to be able to go in a meet with her. Her family lives in such humble circumstances, but they are so generous and giving. Last time we were there, they gave each of us two oranges. If I were Grace Kelly herself, I could not have felt more like a princess, although to the naked eye we were not in a palace. Discerning the true charity in this family's heart, I knew I was in the presence of spiritual royalty, a family whose value comes not from the amount of their worldly goods but the love in their heart. Being around them expands my spirit inside of me, almost to the point where I feel the my body can hardly contain it and my ribcage is literally expanding to hold it. I hope that makes sense to you, because to me it is one of the deepest truths I know. I just have a hard time fitting it into words.

Eli, we had some tostadas this week. They were delicious. You should try them when you get the chance. Your cake looks great, however. Was it a "joint" effort to make it? Cassidy: you look so elegant with your longer hair. You just shine.

Thanks for the medical advice. I'll take it to heart. I know that everything will work out just fine. Don't worry. And I know you're not.

Must run, but I love you all and send a million hugs your way! Stay warm!

Sister Whitney Mikell Sorensen

P.S. I almost forgot to write about the Olympics. We heard about Evan Lysacek. I knew Cassidy would be on cloud nine. We heard there was a bit of a controversy surrounding it, but I usually just want to tell the Russians to "take that." I hope there is a MIRACLE repeat, although it could never be the same as the first time. Congratulations to Apollo: he deserves it. I guess congrats to Bode, too, although he probably doesn't deserve it as much. But what about Eric Heiden? I thought he had the most gold medals from a single winter olympics? How do Apollo's records compare to his? Finally, way to be, Mitt! You amaze me. If missionaries were allowed to comment on politics, I'd say I wish he were our president instead of our current one, but since we're not, I won't.

P.P.S. I have a joke for you. Mostly for Dad, but you'll probably all laugh at it. Moses was landing at Houston International Airport on the same day as George W. Bush. George Bush sent his secret service agents over to have Moses come and talk to him. Three times he refused. Finally, President Bush asked them to ask why he wouldn't come. Moses responded, "Last time I talked to a bush, I spent forty years in the desert and I got the only land in the Middle East without any oil on it." Hope you like it. I shortened it because time is majorly up. BYE

2-15-10 "To Eternity and Beyond"

Today's subject line is brought to you by Elder Parker. He coined the phrase a few weeks ago, obviously spinning it off of Buzz Lightyear's catch phrase, and I've forgotten to tell you about it for a few weeks running. I like it. He also said he might have that written on his car after he gets married, instead of the typical, "Just Married." Inspired, I think.

Sister Hoskins, Sister Smith and I are getting along swimmingly. Sister Hoskins and I were already great friends, but I think having a third person there helps us to get along even better, because we certainly have different personality types. Sister Smith loves music, just like Sister Hoskins, and movies, just like me. She knew what I was quoting when I said, "Presidential flashcards," so That Thing You Do! is one of her favorites, too. So far, having three people hasn't been too much of a challenge, except I hope that we are giving her sufficient opportunity to speak her mind and testify, too. With three of us, it's really easy for someone's voice to get lost, and I don't want that to happen. I guess since I'm aware of it I'll know to try and combat it. I'll send pictures when I can. Sister Smith is from Bellevue, Nebraska, a suburb of Omaha, and loves the Cornhuskers.

Our Valentine's Day was also filled with being served by members. I'm glad to hear the elders enjoyed the manicotti. It's fabulous, so they should have. I made some red velvet cupcakes for district meeting on Friday, and they were consumed in minutes, too. That was actually before I received your package with the mix and frosting. I ended up making my own homemade cream cheese frosting, but we'll put the other to good use, too, when we make the next batch. Anyway, yesterday we actually ended up with both a lunch and a dinner appointment. First we had a typical Texas supper: brisket, red potatoes, green beans, fruit salad, made for us by a nice couple in the ward, the Crandalls. Then we had dinner with the Merrills: breakfast for dinner, featuring more fruit, spinach quiche, and popeye pancakes. Delicious, and just what Sister Smith needed, since her family tradition is to have breakfast for dinner on Sunday night. So whlie you were feeding and giving rides to the missionaries, your missionary was being well-fed, too.

Thanks for the two great Valentine's boxes. We will be enjoying them for days. The CDs are great! All I really wanted was the picture of the Idaho Falls temple, but I got two, and Mt. Timpanogos and President Monson to boot. The one of the IF temple in the rain is actually my favorite, and it reminds me of the day I went through the temple for the first time. That was kind of a grey morning. I'll always have a special place in my heart for the Mt. Timpanogos temple, but lately I've been thinking just how much I really do love the Idaho Falls temple, and now I can ponder it in all its simple majesty. And I loved the cards. Actually, we recently started volunteering at an animal shelter, and I think last week I WAS kissed by a dog. But only very briefly. Special thanks to Eli, my sweet baboo, for the "infinity plus one" card. I love YOU the moster more, too. And I definitely love you more than Celeste, even though I'm sure she's a nice girl. Just remember, I got your heart first, so I get to decide when you have secret admirers. Although, if I remember correctly, second grade Valentine's day was when Kevin May proposed to me, so maybe it just runs in the family.

Cassidy, I'm not sure I know who you're talking about that knows me and may or may not be named Jordan. Any more details? Is he really young? What's his last name? But that's cool that he got called to the Houston South mission. I don't know if it's as great as the original Texas Houston mission, but I'm sure it's still amazing.

Thanks for the addresses. I'll be sure to get a letter off to Miss Amanda, and I'll probably send something to Elise soon. I got a letter back from Aarika this week. See if you can find out what her address is now, because I know she moved from where she was living last. And if you have any time to peek at blogs, check out damonjaclyn.blogspot.com because Sister Hoskins and I have been blogged about. She also has a craft blog with another sister in our ward, so maybe the link to it is on there. I'm not sure. You can never have too many blogging friends.

Thanks for the Olympic updates. Members have been keeping us kind of posted. Everyone fell asleep before the torch was lit, but we heard all about the icebergs and whales thing, and the tragic death of the luger. Not good. They said they even showed the footage on the news. Tacky. I'm glad to know Mr. Gretzsky got his moment to shine. He really is the king of ice. And if the 1980 team got to light it in Salt Lake, Wayne deserves to light it in Vancouver.

Mom, could you call Dr. Mathews office and ask for a phone consultation? Sister Hansen thinks we should just ask him for a second opinion about the nerve conduction study thing, and the fact that this doctor has now taken me completely off the sulfasalazin and wants me to have only one plaquanil a day. I haven't been feeling really bad, but I certainly haven't been feeling as good as I did when Dr. Mathews was treating me. See if you can do that.

I know there's something else I want to say, but I cannot at this moment think of it. It'll come to me later and hopefully I'll remember to say it next week. But until then, "to eternity and beyond." Sorry this week seems like a bunch of disjointed thoughts. Just think of it as a President's Day surprise, because we weren't sure if the library would be open.

Love from the always shining,
Sister Whitney Mikell Sorensen

P.S. Mom, the thing about flying with words was not cheesy. It made me feel really good, actually.

P.P.S. Go U.S.A!

2-8-10 "Three's Company"

I actually hate the show Three's Company, but the title does seem appropriate in light of the news we have about transfers. I have to tell you the whole story in context however, so don't get ahead.

On Saturday morning, the Spanish elders had a member who invited our whole district to breakfast. The Waller elders were unable to come because of miles and busy-ness, but we were privileged to go. This lady has a darling little yellow house, and she speaks very little English. Like practically none. Sister Hoskins was pretty good at communicating with her, but I was terrible. I would start thinking of things to say in my head, and they would be in German, not Spanish. I wish I had been able to say more, but the morning was great nonetheless. She made a TON of food, and the elders (who were interpreting for us half the time) said that if you don't want more, you shouldn't clear your plate. Leave just a little bit left, or she will make you eat a whole other plate. I was served first, but I was the last to finish. And after everyone had been served she puts another full plate in the center and directs us, in Spanish, to be sure all of it's gone. She made these round, flat, little tortilla-like things with a red sauce, chopped potatoes, and cheese on top. They were good, but very filling. I couldn't even finish all my five, when really, if I were doing my part, I would have eaten those plus one more from the table in the center. One of the elders had to eat like 8! In the middle of breakfast, we hear our phone beep, but we don't get to find out who called us until after we leave. Back to breakfast. So as we're reaching the end of our plates, she starts asking us if we want milk, because there's actually a dessert course with breakfast. Sweet breads and muffins and such. Saturday also happened to be Sister Hoskins's 23rd birthday and Elder Bell's two-years-on-a-mission birthday. So Elder Parker had brought candles to put in their breakfast dessert. The candles were lit, we sang a little ditty, and they made birthday wishes. Now that we are FULL, we go to the couch to share a little message. And by "we," I mean the Spanish elders, since my scriptures are in English. Even though I couldn't produce any Spanish, I was able to understand most of what Elder Parker was saying. It was a great message, and I certainly felt the Spirit even if I couldn't understand all his words precisely. When it came time for the closing prayer, the member decided to offer it. I was catching fewer of her words than Elder Parker's, but about halfway through the prayer I get the distinct understanding, even though I can't understand completely, that she's praying for Elder Bell to find a wife and have many beautiful children. I'm not describing it very well, but imagine hearing something in another language, and knowing it's in another language, but still being able to comprehend what is being said. I'm not saying I have the gift of interpretation of tongues or anything, but, sure enough, after we're outside the house, Elder Parker looks at us and says, "Do you know what she just prayed for?" I respond, "It sounded like a wife and children for Elder Bell." He just smiles and nods. We all had a good laugh about it. And now the phone calls. It was from the assistants to President Hansen. "Call us back. We have some news about transfers." We did. One of the assistants right now is my first ever mission field district leader, Elder Hiatt. He answers the phone and says, "Can you both hear?" "Yes. Sister Hoskins is driving. Should she stop?" He laughs. "No." The gist of it: we are going to both be staying in Tomball, but we will be training a brand-new missionary from the MTC. All we know about her is her name. Sister Smith. We will meet her on Thursday morning, and we get to go to a special temple session and training meeting that day. I'm excited, even though having three in a companionship will be something of a challenge. Wish us much luck. We'll need it, but I know it's going to be great.

That story was much longer than I intended it to be. I just wanted to give you all those details about the breakfast. It's one of my favorite mission memories so far, getting to glimpse into the Spanish-speaking work. It reminded me of over a year ago when our whole apartment arranged to go on a date, but then one of Marcie and Ana's friends was getting baptized that night, so we went to the baptism as part of the date. Fun and nice, and a bit similar of an "interpretation of tongues" experience, since the whole service was in Spanish then, too. I'm not saying I'm sad not to be a Spanish-speaking missionary, because I have always thought my work was meant to be in the English language, but I just have such a powerful testimony that the work going on in other languages changes lives, too, and brings people closer to the Savior. I'm really having a hard time finding my words today. What I just wrote doesn't even come close to truly expressing my emotions, but it'll have to do, because I have more to say.

Also this week we did a little tracting in a fairly affluent neighborhood. We were trying to make contact with a less-active man, but we decided just to tract around because we weren't sure when we'd be out there again. Towards the end of our tracting, we come to this house with a truck and a sports car in the driveway. On the back of the truck, there is a hitch with the bat signal on it. Interesting. I look at Sister Hoskins and say, "I wonder if Batman lives here. Are you prepared to teach the first lesson to Christian Bale?" She just laughs, like I'm crazy. Which I kind of am. But then, as we're knocking on the front door, I look at the doormat beneath our feet and it has a big, emblematic "W" on it. W. As in Wayne. BRUCE WAYNE. Not a coincidence, I'm thinking. Again, I turn to Sister Hoskins: "I think we're going to get to see the batcave today..." But alas, Bruce must have heard us talking, and didn't want to give away his secret identity. We told the elders about it that night, and Elder Parker had actually taken a picture of the batmobile that day. In any case, I'm pretty sure Mr. Wayne has a winter home in Houston.

So much more happens, but I only can tell you the best of the best. Congratulations to Eli for winning his chess match. Genius, genius, genius. I don't think I've ever even won a chess match, but I never really could get into it. He's following in the footsteps of my favorite Harry Potter character, however. Ron loves to play wizard's chess. Cassidy: CREEPY!!! about the Johnny Cash testimony. I've had weird dreams before, but I've never really called them visions. I'm not even sure how "Walk the Line" was an answer to his question. Is he supposed to go sing at Folsom Prison? Is he supposed to become a drug seller? Is he supposed to grow a long, ugly beard like Joaquin Phoenix and act crazy on David Letterman? And what exactly does a John Wayne tie look like? My advice: I'd "keep my eyes wide open all the time" for this guy, especially if he's all in black, because he may have "shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die." Not cool. Mom, yuck about getting sick on Tuesday, but kind of funny that you worried that you would die one a bad hair day. That's kind of like saying, "Don't let me die with my boots on." (Is it on or off? I can never remember.)

Happy Olympics on Friday. I'll be rooting in my heart, but focusing on missionary work. All three of us will be having dinner with one of our favorite families in the ward, Brother and Sister Brewer. Sister Brewer is almost my adopted mother. Love her. Thanks also for the music. We've been enjoying the tracks we can listen too, although I'm not sure what some of the last ones are. Any more hints on 12-14?

Last thing: People have been sending me mail without an apartment number on it. It gets to me, but you might want to be sure to include that from now on. Here's the full address: 29807 State Highway 249 #376 Tomball, TX 77375.

Much love and shining,
Sister Whitney Mikell Sorensen