The subject line is my favorite quote from myself in the past little while. I said it last night while Sister Schlauder and I were discussing someone she knows who went on a mission a little unprepared to face the realities of the world and taking care of herself in really simple ways, perhaps hoping that a mission would automatically teach her those things. So I said, "There's nothing automatic about a mission." Which is very true. This week alone, we met with someone who tried to convince us that all you need to be saved is faith, not works, and then kind of slyly accused us of being in a cult or said Joseph Smith did have a vision but it was from the devil. That was kind of disappointing, too, because when we first met him we gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and then he called us asking for a reading assignment, wanting to set up an appointment. This was on September 21. And we knew he had done some of his reading because he asked us if that day was some kind of Mormon holiday, which at first confused us, but then we realized that it talks about Moroni coming to see Joseph Smith on the evening of September 21. Anyway, didn't turn out wonderful, but we did leave on good, noncontentious terms, although I later slightly wished I had chewed him up and down and asked how he could possibly think that someone could still be saved after completely disregarding all the laws and commandments God has ever given his children. Blinded by the craftiness of men. I hate it. So. Much. And then later on in the week we were not-so-kindly asked to leave the park where we were apparently not supposed to be contacting people and giving them pass along cards. This guy on some kind of groundskeeper's golf cart drives up and shines them right in our eyes and then says, "Y'all know you're not supposed to be doing that, right?" So we left, but it took everything in me not to just cry on the spot. I mean, park contacting is hard. It takes more courage than almost anything else on a mission, for me at least. In the end, we figured that Heavenly Father was just trying to tell us it was okay to stop doing that and try other techniques, but it still didn't feel good. And again, later there was this part of me that sort of wished I had just demanded to know right then and there why the first amendment doesn't apply in a public park. But overall I'm glad I kept my cool. But those were just the low points of the week.
The high points were many, including the flood of mail I have been receiving, including a card from one Justin Johnston, who claims to be your "BESTIE," Mom. I can only assume that "bestie" is a slang term for best friend or favorite co-worker or someone you have been sharing laughs with at the Colonial. In any case, as your oldest child, I feel that if anyone is your "BESTIE," it's probably me, but I'm not really in love with the term, so he can have the title. I bestow it upon him. I also got a lovely picture drawn for me by Jace Marlow with a picture of Cassidy blushing because "she is in love," according to the comments from Heidi. Thanks for wrapping up the birthday gifts, but I already opened them and wore them yesterday, sort of as a conference/birthday treat to myself. I love the skirt and the sweater is perfect. I am wearing the tennis sweater right now, and it is just as great as I remember it.
Conference. So much to say. I was so glad the first speaker was Elder Holland. I always get a little panicked that it will be his turn to speak in the priesthood session. I love the way he just complimented every single member of the church for doing the same small things over and over without expecting recognition, and made sure we all knew he was talking to us by saying, "Stop looking around. I'm talking to you." Point taken. Thanks. I couldn't stop laughing when President Uchtdorf told the story about the tree and said, "I'm sure you're all wondering what this has to do with airplanes. Well, let me tell you." Perfect. Isn't it nice to know that we can focus on the simple things, the "everyday" answers instead of running from source to source, hoping to find the cure-all? I couldn't take notes fast enough on Elder Scott's talk. He is one of my new favorites. And, don't be jealous, Kip, but we are having a special tri-mission conference this Saturday with Elder Costa, one of the 14 point prophet speakers. I'll be sure to let you know the highlights of his counsel to us. President Monson is really coming into his own as the prophet. He spoke so directly in the opening session about the need to go on a mission, and I was ecstatic to hear that Hartford, Connecticut is getting a temple! Yeah Cody! He will have the privilege of preparing the area for a temple. It will be such a blesing. The Houston temple turns ten this year, so they just redid all the carpeting and such inside. I haven't been back yet, but we're going next Wednesday. I can hardly wait, but at the same time it is bittersweet, since it will be one of my last times there. But thankfully, I will be able to carry a little of it home with me. Thanks for the money for the book. I can hardly wait to have it. We might go pick it up today. Anyway, I agree. Every talk was amazing. I will be eagerly awaiting my new Ensign to persuse every word. I also felt like I got some personal revelation about how to best finish my mission and what to do after that.
Speaking of which, I can't believe my registration date is already this month. Go ahead and sign me up for classes. I can't remember exactly how to get on there, but I did leave a tentative schedule of what classes I want to sign up for each semester. If you log onto the website with my user ID and password, which I think I wrote down for you before I left, you then go on to something and can see my academic plan. Maybe Sister Dyer or somebody could help you look it up. As far as housing goes, I wouldn't mind being in the same place as before, but I'm sure anywhere woud be fine. I'm not very picky. I picked that place because it was in close walking distance to the parts of campus where most of my classes are and you don't have to walk up the scary hills at night. Plus, it was inexpensive. The Lord always puts me in the right place, so I trust your judgment. So, I'm officially going back to school in January. Crazy.
Love y'all,
Sister Whitney Sorensen
PS I'll send some pictures by mail this week, or e-mail them next week.
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