No Need to Worry

Dear Friends and Family,

I know many of you are concerned after reading Carson’s last letter.  Let me assure you as his Mom, who knows him quite well, that he is fine.  I am not surprised by his tone, nor am I worried.  My heart breaks for him a little bit to know he is struggling, but some homesickness and fear of a new language is quite normal.  He went out knowing it would be hard and just had to let someone know what he was going through. 

Do not worry!  Carson knows WHO he is:  He is a Sork.  Who comes from a line of strong people (Bowen, Baum, Hirons, Tippetts, Ellsworths)  These Sork’s know how to do hard things—Carson knows how to work hard and that he can overcome.  He knows he is a child of God and that His Heavenly Father loves him and asks him to do hard things because HE knows what Carson is capable of and has put him in a situation where he can help him reach that potential.  I know that Heavenly Father is providing a way for Carson to do what He has asked.  Carson knows it too, as evident in his letter about his mission companion, the blessings he has been given and the encouragement of his language teacher.  Carson knows WHAT he stands for:  In seminary this last year we talked a lot about “if you know your why then your what has more meaning.”  Carson knows he is out there to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.  That gospel has brought him such joy and peace in his life.  He is grateful for the sacrifice of a Savior that has made it so he can be with those he loves forever and continue to grow and progress through the eternities.  The strength that knowledge gives him will help pull him through this tough spot.  He has a righteous desire as he stated in his letter, “I want so bad just to be able to preach the gospel.”  The Lord will grant him his desire, I have no doubt.  Finally, Carson knows WHO is at home cheering him on and fasting and praying for him.  He knows he is part of Heavenly Father’s team, this is just an away game but he knows he is on the winning team no matter where he goes.  Sometimes the game might not go as planned, but confidence to persevere can be found in knowing His team can’t be beat. 

I shared the rawness of Carson’s letter with all of you because this is what missionaries experience.  This is real, this is normal and it is OKAY.  This experience is not unique to Carson.  It is important that we pray for these missionaries and realize the sacrifice they are making to better the lives of others.  I want you to know Elder Sork’s struggles and be able to pray for him specifically while he is going through them.  I don’t want anyone to think less of him for what he is going through, but rather see how strong he really is.  I want his friends who are preparing for missions or out on missions (my seminary sons) to know that it is going to be hard, but I know you all will REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE, WHAT YOU STAND FOR (and why) and WHO is waiting for you to come home (and cheering you on as you are away). 

I know Carson would love to receive letters right now and throughout his mission.  You can send them via the United States post office in regular envelopes with $1.15 postage if the weight is 1 oz.  or under (basically an envelope with up to 4 pages of standard printer paper).  It takes about 10 days to 3 weeks to get them to his location.  His address is: 

Elder Carson W Sork

Brazil Joao Pessoa Mission

Brazil Missionary Training Center

Rua Padre Antonio DAngelo, 121

Casa Verde

CEP 02516-040 Sao Paulo-SP

BRAZIL

He will be at this location for another 3 weeks.  So write him a letter today!

Let’s all cheer him on!

Mama Sork