Hello dear family
How are you?
Well I am so excited to email this week. I am so happy.
As you know, every transfer I get a blessing to help me know Heavenly Father's will.
This blessing was beautiful. I feel that they get more and more personal as my prayers are more involved.
He just knows me so well.
It said:
I will be blessed with the help to always feel the Spirit
That I will have trials this transfer but I will be able to understand how each one will benefit me
It was just beautiful. All of it.
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I had a really interesting Thursday last week. I was reading the scriptures and reading I Am a Child of God and it just kind of hit me. I realized a little bit more who I am and who I can be. I guess it was kind of like a 'personal worth day'. I enjoyed it.
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Mommy, I really appreciate you sending me the lyrics to that song. I think its true and I really liked it. It can only get better too, which is the best part.
Well
I have to explain a little bit about the wards
We have about 150 in the American ward and 100 in the Italian ward
Naturally there are 20 million kids in the American ward
I like it. The American ward is way strong.
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This Easter, we are spending lunch with an Italian member. I am so excited. Pasqua is ..I think...bigger than Christmas here..or just as big. Its going to be amazing. I am so excited. Italian Pasqua. I'll pick up some tips if I can. and I'll take foto.
I am so excited to be here. I know I am here for a reason and I know that I can do good things. I am so excited.
Its been interesting being with another German companion because I feel more of a culture boundary now. Sorella Hoppe was already used to Americans because she was in the mission for a while. Me and Sorella Warncke have found our own rhythm though. I really enjoy being her companion. She has a lot to share and she teaches so clearly and packed with the spirit.
She's doing a great job and I am so glad that I get to be with her here.
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I realized something about Conference. It talked a lot about obedience and staying in the MAINSTREAM OF THE CHURCH....I realized that I haven't been always so good at that, but it really stuck with me this time.
I realized that obedience isnt just a commandment, it is an act of love. It is a sign that we want to obey because we love God, not because of obligation. I have already been faced with little fringe-obedience rule-bending-but-not-breaking situations and I have chosen to be exactly obedient because I want to do the right thing. I have already seen the blessings-
They aren't large or grand. I have received no voice saying I'm great or special or anything grand like that...just the simple peace of Heavenly Father's approval. I know that as I continue to strengthen my obedience and desire to be obedient, I will continue to feel His spirit and always have His spirit to be with me...just like my blessing says.
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OK, so Vicenza. I'll try to take some pictures today and send them
Its beautiful, flat plains...fields, vineyards. Its small. Cobblestone street....but its clean too. So clean and beautiful. There are fields and fields of Canola plant. We passed by this mansion on a hill the other day with just hills surrounding it of canola and flowers. sooo pretty.
Its so peaceful here. Its a smaller city and it is just so calm and light...I dont know how to explain. I love being here because we have a bigger apartment and that makes me feel less cluttered, and the city is spread out which also helps.
I'm sorry I didn't take pictures. Next week, I really promise.
Jerry emailed me from the MTC! I love him! He is so great. He's going to do great things here.
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I am doing well. I promise.
This past week was hard....I was being a little prideful and I just prayed a lot and asked for a softened, impenetrable heart...soft so that I was kind and loving, impenetrable so that I wouldn't be so easily offended. I'm really learning to just let go. Its the right way and I am happier now.
Being senior companion is weird, because you don't think its that big of a deal as junior comp but....there is a weight that I feel. not only do I have to be on top of everything for 1 ward but 2! and I have to support my companion and be an example and be willing to do all things that are necessary with a smile.
Its hard...I feel really scatterbrained, because I have gone so long without having to worry...oh my senior comp will take care of it...but no, I have to do it now. I've been struggling with trying to be prepared for everything...like not being prepared for correlation...oops!
But I'm learning and I am enjoying being able to help someone else learn and grow...while having her grow me just as much. This is a great experience for me.
I am trying to do my best, we do some finding every week and we are trying to be diligent. Its hard because we just don't have all that much to do yet because I am still learning the area and we still kind of trying to develop relationships with the members. Its ok...I am not complaining, I am just analyzing. I really do love being here and I am sooo grateful.- I know Heavenly Father is a lot more involved in everything than we can ever imagine. I know He wants this for me.
Sorella Warncke and I are really learning to grow together. We pray together ever morning and night, we laugh and have fun, we snack a lot, but ...sometimes a snack is good... ha ha. We are learning each other and I think we will be a great pair.
I know this Gospel is true. I know that there is only one way and Jesus Christ, the Saviour has already established it. As Easter comes closer, I am studying the end of His life and trying to understand His character more. He loves us and willingly WILLINGLY gave us His life, not just to suffer for us...but He gave up His personal desires to live for us.
I know that Heavenly Father exists and love us. I feel His love soo often. He protects us as we ride around the city, and for that I am so thankful ha ha
Thank you for your emails and your love. Thank you for the peace and strength that you give me. PDay is a sacred day...because I receive inspiration through you.
Find a way, this week, to recognize His love more fully in your life and I can promise the Atonement will become more real.
Have a happy and Christ-filled Easter.
PS- For church on Sunday, we only have an hour...(sorry Mom. but its how it should be right?)
I love you all with my whole heart
Sorella Carlock
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