Ciao Bellissimi
How are you?
Well I have had some interesting experiences this week. We had to go back to Milano to pick up Sorella Harward's permesso. We did it in a day. We went, not having planned, not knowing what to expect.
Miracles?
We just barely made the train to Milano...by seconds. (the next one came in probably 5 hours)
We made it to the questura (permesso office), just in time to be the last person
We finished in time to take a train 2 hours earlier than originally planned
We did it, leap-of-faith...and we were able to accomplish everything and more.
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They toil not, nor do they spin...
He has control of everything. He protected us, helped us, guided us that whole trip. He isn't going to let us fail if we leave it all up to Him. When I said we didn't plan, it was kind of just like 'well, this is the only day we can do it, we need to just go. Let's just go.' and so we did! And now, our testimonies are strengthened.
Well for this week there is:
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue
Something old: I did a lot of searching in my journal while my companion was sick and I looked at all of the my old entries. There were a lot of spiritually empowering things. I started quoting myself and I put a bunch of sticky notes in my closet, on the walls reminding me of the spiritual insights I have gained.
Something new: I am re-starting a lot of things this week.
I have received the new clothes that you sent
I am about to start a new journal, I am 2 entries away from finishing my old one
Its the beginning of a new month
I am 10 months in the mission
I finished the Book of Mormon and I have now officially started reading, in personal study too, il Libro di Mormon. Immersion in the language.
I am starting to live a new kind of discipleship...the right kind. I am learning and studying how to be a real disciple of Christ....surrending my will, desires, dreams, thoughts, hopes, wants...all to Christ- it's hard, but its ....so worth it.
I am learing how to pray more personally.
I am eating less and more healthfully.
I am starting to exercise more.
Something borrowed: I have been given the opportunity to read this talk called the 4th Missionary...it has completely changed the way I think about how I serve, who I want to be, and why I am really here.
Something blue: In order to have a journal....I had to buy one. We went to the store and they only had...weird journals or journals with quotes about love...not exactly missionary appropriate. The only other plain journal they had...was blue! I want to try to write only in Italian in it. I am so excited to get started!
---
I had an interesting epiphany, diciamo (let's say), about water.
Ok so water is ...the source of life for plants, animals, humans. We need water to survive.
It offers no nutrional value..in the sense that yes, maybe it has vitamins and minerals...but thats it really right. Yet, we need water to survive, if we don't drink water...in 3 days, we will die.
It is pure, clear, life-giving.
Kind of like Christ. No He won't give you fortune or fame, you won't be great in the eyes of the world...yet, He is the life-giving water we all must drink from in order to live...truly live. Water is like Jesus Christ. maybe that connection has already been made, but its new to me.
SO KEEP DRINKING THE WATER!
--
We found a new investigator this week and we are really excited about teaching her. She is the mom of a member and has been prepared...of course. We are so ready to get back into work and to find others like her. We really want to help Genova grow and flourish. It has been a little bit of a sitting duck, so much potential but it hasn't been fully realized (realized in the Italian sense of the word: brought forth, so to say). We want to really get it going, and we've done a lot to really help it.
I am still here because God wants me to improve this city. It's a bit of calling to repentance for me and for the city I guess. I'm here for 6 months because He knows I can help! He wants this work to change me!
--
There is a little girl in our ward here...she is a little version of Jess. Pure, sweet, kind, Christ-like, a little outgoing in a sweet way. not feisty, what's the sweet version of feisty? Thats her.
Her name is Lucy...I love her! She is from Peru. We are having lunch with their family on Sunday and I'll see if maybe I can take my camera. You should see her. Oh, that family is so sweet. All of them.
---
Well, Mommy,it's your birthday soon.
I was thinking you might like a black and white print of Genova...to match the ones in our house.
Are you interested?
There is also a place that paints ceramics...I could have them make you a platter with something written and painted on it.
What can I get you?
Do you want anything?
I love you all.
This week will be a good week,
I am excited to really put into action what I have learned and to really serve with a full heart.
I know God lives. I know He loves us.
I know Christ is our Saviour and that He never leaves us alone.
I love you
I miss you
I pray for you
Stay strong
We are an eternal family
Sorella Carlock
PS -
I emailed Uncle Trev, I'll write Aunt Cynthia....this...its just so special
I talked to Sorella Dibb. I'll get a new retainer in the next few days.
I didnt get the contacts. We have a Zone Conference on the 17th so I should get them then
I am almost done with my journal. I wrote about that in the big email :)
I am trying to keep to exercising and better eating. It's working so far!
I feel good!
I'm a little sick but I'm taking medicine and I'll be ok.
Clothes fit and I look good!! :) thanks Mommy
Captain Moroni is totally your 'color'! You can do it! :)
--
WOW is TANNEY! What's he doing? He hasnt written me in weeks. Is he ok? Has he lost his head?
Is he happy?
I
am so impressed by Eva and how charitable she is. I've been really
working on charity, its a real struggle for me but Im getting there.
...about Dad,..thats just that. No worldly success can ever be enough. Success starts and ends in the home.
Meno male our family is tight.
I am so excited about your success and your epic jobs. You are doing great things! Wow. See? You're way cool!
---
I forgot to write in the big email.
I found Gone with the Wind...IN ITALIAN...I had to buy it. It was at an antique shop so it was only £6
maybe I'm a bad missionary...but I figured...you just cant pass that up.
what do you think?
I pray for you and hope that you are warm and happy.
keep keeping me updated!
I'll take some pictures today!
I love you more than even I know.
You
are my mommy forever and I sing your lulabies in the shower to help me
wind down at night. I figured that's ok because we're an eternal family
so it's a manifestation of how God's plan works in our lives. ...maybe
thats me bending the rules..I don't know.
I am happy.
I am warm.
I am trying to repent daily.
I am improving.
I am YOUR daughter and I love you
I am going to do what I came here to do.
I am going to be the best missionary I can be.
He lives! They lives!
I love you!
No comments:
Post a Comment