Twenty-five: October 23, 2013 Genova

Yeah....Genova is beatutiful...I want to try to explain, and then you'll just have to imagine or look up pictures on google.

It's a modern city with old buildings...like medieval buildings.
It's a city on the sea coast, but in the mountains....

So we're on the coast but the coast is mountains....with old/new buildings.

just beautiful.

I am really excited about being here...the ward is a lot smaller ha ha.

Sorella O'Connor is my companion.  She is from Riverside, California.
We get along pretty well and I'm excited to be here and serve with her.  We've had fun so far.

We have been having some lessons, it just takes so much longer to get to the people because we just use bus here and most of the people live up in the mountains.

Genova is famous for foccaccia and pesto...both pretty good.
Also Christofero Colombo..his house is really close to our church building.

We had a lesson and it was in this old building.
let me explain...

The doors were huge, like castle doors and there was a huge, wide strone staircase. and then we get into the apartment and it's modern and new.  All of the streets are either mosaic tiled or stone. It's pretty cool!

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TANNEY!
Soooo want to hear something really cool that I forgot to write about last week that has to do with something from this week?

Sorella Bucco and I were doing finding in Milano and we had a lesson in the Park.
We just walked up to this woman and started speaking Italian (of course), and she said in a perfect English accent, I'm sorry I don't speak Italian very well...

So we asked her where she was from....just guess where, just guess!!

Montevideo, Uruguay
sitting right there in the middle of this park in my finding area is (Valentina) from Uruguay.

ALSO! We had a lesson with a menoattiva and we went over there and had Maté with her.

(secret: I'm not really in Italy, I'm in South America) This is so cool!


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So I've had a million personal miracles this week.

1: we got into Genova and I immediately realized it's cold and windy. but it's not rainy.  so it would be really weird to wear my big long rain coat around....I was really stressed because I thought I was going to have to buy another coat because it's kind of like between seasons....there was a beautiful gray wool coat sitting in our closet that I found this morning: on the day that we would have time to go looking for coats!

2: I found something amazing in my Patriarchal blessing that led me to study Joseph who was sold into Egypt because it specifically mentions him.  It was like BAM! study this!
             ---Patriarchal Blessings are so special.  There are like a personal liahona and they tell of all the things we can have through faithfulness.  I love mine.

EVA----receive your Patriarchal Blessing!!!!!!!!!

3: I have been able to write in my journal, read a little of the Bible and Our search for happiness, and be perfectly ready for bed on time every night.  I haven't been writing in my journal for a while because there was no time...but I've had all of this time and it's great!
               ---also in the Bible, I have found so many great hidden treasures and I just feel this fire to study and learn and apply

4: I love Genova.  I was so afraid that I would feel too ''homesick'' for Milano, but I don't.  We saw the pretty parts this past week and I LOVE the people!  It's great to be here!

there are so many more things that I can share.  It's been a good week.

I've felt a fire to get things done and to work and to be out and studying for these people.  I feel progress being made and I am excited to see the blessings that will come from the blessings of Faith that Heavenly Father has given me.  How great is Our Father!

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I'm sorry I charged my groceries to the card.  My church card wasn't working at the grocery store, but then I got cash from the ATM so I don't know what happened.  When I get the rimborsi...I don't know how to spell it in English.  Rimborsements?, I will use some of that for personal stuff I guess, to ''pay myself back''-


Genova is really great. The people let there dogs pee everywhere, so instead of poop its pee.  But whatever, fa niente.

We went to have a lesson the other day and we were right right right on the sea. I'll take a picture sometime. You would love it here I think...maybe even more than Milano. Genova is definitely more Italian.


Well I hope you are all well, happy, and safe.
Keep reading the Book of Mormon.  Keep praying; He answers, even to the smallest of worries...like with me and the coat.

I'm definitely going to have to buy some pantyhose here, and maybe even fleece-lined tights...it's windy and cold.  I love it!

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Ciao for now ;)
Sorella Carlock

A promise to missionaries: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Video: Walking in Milano

Twenty-four: October 16, 2013

I have been transferred to GENOVA!!!

What'd'ya think about that?

Ha ha.  We got the call on Monday for transfers and I'm going to Genova on Thursday in the morning.  My new companion will be Sorella O'Connor; I don't know her but she is only one transfer ahead of me.  I'm excited.  I'm sad to leave Milano.  I was born in Milano...spiritually/missionar-i-ly speaking.  I love Milano, but I'm going to love Genova too!

How are you all?  How has the week been?

What's going on for this next week?

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We have ended this transfer on a good note, in every way.  We were at the top of our zone in numbers this transfer....well at least last week we were.  That only matters because it reminds us of all the miracles we have seen.  We have helped 5 people pick a baptismal date, and then they have been doing the rest.  They are progressing to the celestial kingdom by preparing to make the first promise. I am so happy.

We have seen so many miracles.  We've worked hard and we've just sat back and watched all of the good things happening.

In the beginning of the transfer, we prayed that we would only find people with real intent, and we did.  our friends/investigators are solid BECAUSE they have faith in Jesus Christ and his plan.  It's the best.

In all other things, we are leaving Milano on a good note.  Sorella Bucco is going to Piacenza, which is close to Milano sort of.  It's in the Milano East zone still.  We will leave each other as friends and we'll return home as friends.  We said we'll go out and do missionary splits when we get home.  I'm genuinely glad I had the opportunity to learn and grow with her, I'm happy I know her.

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I'm a little sad to leave Milano, but I'm glad to take my experiences and go crazy working hard in the next city.  I am not only becoming a different missionary, but a different person, and it is because of Him.  I love my Saviour, I love my Father.

This work is sacred.  This work is hard.  This work is worth it every single second.  Every hard second, every joyful second.  Every single moment.  I never want to go home, and I learned that from Sorella Bucco.

I learned how to love the people from Sorella Hoppe.  I learned how to love the work from Sorella Bucco.  Companions are.....companions are special.  God truly works in mysterious ways.

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We have a family that we teach...we don't teach them all together, but we have had lessons with every member and they are so special.  I am sad that we have to leave them and miss their progression, but there are more families that await, and we're going to search for them.  Every one of us deserves the opportunity to hear this message.


Well I don't have much else to say.  I'll send some foto.

I love you all with my whole heart.  I work for you, I pray for you.  I know we will be together forever.

:)

Love you

Sorella Carlock

Twenty-three: October 9, 2013 Milano

Come state voi?

Week 5 of the transfer and life is pretty good?  How is the weather? Is it cold yet?

So....there were attacks on the Pentagon and the Statue of Liberty is shut down?? What's going on in America?

Also, I decided not to have my coat hemmed.  It's perfect, long, and warm.  I am completely covered and I have not gotten wet.  Turns out that it was better this way.

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Thank you for sending that.  Sometimes I don't feel like I am worthy to be a missionary. Not like I've done anything wrong, but just that I'm no good enough...but I know I am..He does too.  I know God is pleased with my choice.  I am a worthy, endowed, righteous woman of God.  :) thanks for helping me remember.


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Something I realized this week: I speak another language.  I mean I really do. I am not perfect and I make mistakes a lot, but I don't have to translate in my head anymore when people speak and when I respond.  It's more natural.  God has strengthened my Italian so that I could focus on the more important things.  I am so happy.

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Like I mentioned about the coat, it's been cold and rainy here.  YAY OTTOBRE!  Ha ha.  Guess it had to happen sometime.  Like in our house at home, the heat isn't on yet, so I'm sleeping with my fuzzy socks, THANKS TANNEY!
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We had interviews with President yesterday and it was amazing.  I told him about my struggles and he said, ''well, you know General Conference can heal a lot of that.''  and it's true. I felt refreshed and renewed and happier, and more full.

Conference was beautiful.
Did you hear what President Monson said.  This conference was one of the most inspired conferences!  It's so true. It was beautiful.  I felt the Spirit so strongly.  It was manifested in a new way, too.  It was strong and it was filling.  I loved all of the things.  I loved Elder Dyches talk, Elder's Holland's, and Elder's Uchtdorf plea : Come, Join us!!!!

We weren't allowed to see Sunday Afternoon because it was from 10 at night - 12 midnight...sooo yeah, kind of late. So because of the time difference, they broadcasted the morning sessions from 6-8 and then saturday afternoon was shown at 2-4 the next day.  So I didn't see sunday afternoon but I saw all of the others.

I received ideas for helping investigators and I felt more full...I don't know, I hope that makes sense.  Every talk brought the power of the Spirit.  I loved Bonnie Oscarson's talk to the Youth.  That is worth re-reading.  I feel so much more at peace.  No life as a missionary, or a human in general is not always easy, but it's easier now.

Conference...specifically the Relief Society talks made me think of something.  Mommy, do you remember the night we cried together for hours and we shared all of the things we were struggling with and how afterward we both got into your bed and slept.  ''thank you, Mommy'', you were keeping your covenants.  By keeping your covenants, you showed me more love than I had seen in a little while.  That was a difficult time for me, and you saved me from forgetting who I was, and you did it by keeping your covenants.  :)

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What did you all think about Conference?  What were your favorites?


Thank you all for writing me and for the things that you have said. I love you all very much.  I have some cool pictures this week.  We climbed to the top of the Duomo in Milano and it was beautiful..

Also, transfers are next week so we will see what happens next week.  I don't feel like I'm staying, but I also don't feel like I've finished here yet, and I think it would be silly for me to leave unless I needed to seriously learn something elsewhere.  Or if there was someone I could help elsewhere.  We'll see!

I love you all.  Please, build your rock and your testimonies on the words of the prophet, afterall they are the words of Christ.  It is direct inspiration for our lives in these times.

I love you all...never give up.


There is a sister here in our ward who has seen a true tragedy.  We went to go visit with her and we expected to sit there and hold her hands as she cried, but we walked away being taught a huge lesson.

She said, in the midst of this horrible tragedy, ''Even though I feel weak, I know that mean I need to be stronger.  I have to be stronger.''

So yet again, as usual...never, ever give up.


I love you all with my whole soul.

I love you letters and read them full of excitement and emotion for your experiences.  I'm sorry I don't respond to everything but I hope you know I am listening and I CARE.

I love you all

Sorella Carlock

Sorella Carlock at the Duomo

Twenty-two: October 2, 2013 Milano

Ciao Cari,
 come state?
tutto bene?

Today is P-day of week 4 of the transfer...guess what? We have 8 missionaries serving in our ward!!  2 companionships of anziani and sorelle.

We have a lot more opportunities to stretch out.

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Our baptism was confirmed on Sunday and she feels great and she is ready to keep going.  We are so excited for her!  We have accepted a new sister into the fold!  And a brother.  The man that the Anziani baptized was confirmed as well!  WOOHOO!

We had 9 progressing investigators this week! We only have 9 investigators but all are progressing and 4 have set baptismal dates.  We are excited about that.  We will do more finding and less-active work, so we will be able to expand our teaching opportunities, but so far I think that's great.  We've found people that are genuinely sincere about progressing and knowing Christ.

This song keeps coming into my head...

''let the lower lights be burning, send the gleam across the wave''
what is the significance of that song again? what does it mean to you again? I can't remember, I dont even remember the name or the words.

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We went to that pizza place again.  I took pictures.

We got a pizza:  mozzrella potatoes, rosemary, and brie

yeahhh, it was good.



ALSO!

we got this awesome gelato too.

White chocolate scoop, dark chocolate scoop, and then ....cinnamon!

SOOO GOOD!


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I have been really trying to figure out how I can motivate myself and turning my righteous desires into righteous actions.  I can be better, I can turn outward and care less about myself.  I can let go of pride, I know that.  I'm trying to learn how- I want to learn to forget me, forget English, forget my needs and think of our investigators and our members. 

We had a lesson yesterday and we invited an RM young man to come with us and he said something very interesting.  It was a lesson about the Plan of Salvation and he said, in soma, ''God gives you commandments in this life and He asks you to follow them.  If you do follow them, you will be blessed, but in order to live with Him, He wants you to give all you can, and a lot more.  That makes the difference.''

I want to learn how to give in più.

I feel like my progress is a little stunted, and I know it's my fault.  I just want to know what's holding me back so that I know how to change.

I have seen so many miracles.  I have seen grown men cry and testify that they are sons of God.  I have seen hardened hearts warm up to us as we summarize the restoration on the metro.  I have seen testimonies grow and faith be strengthened.  This time has been the most amazing time of my life.  I wouldn't trade any of it for a second.  I know I can do more and I need to.  I know these things are true.  I have seen a change in myself and a great change in others. I know that this church teaches us, not only how to keep the commandments, but how to be HAPPY.  I love knowing that I can help people to be happy.

I know that this time is sacred. I want to make it sacred.  I want to meet Him in the middle, and go beyond.  I want to make the most of this time.  When I talk about what I'm struggling with, please know I'm only sharing this because I understand that I can always improve.  I feel the Spirit when I teach.  I feel the Spirit in church.  I know I'm doing good things.  I just want to do great things.

This really is the greatest time.

Thank you for writing me, all of you.  It really makes a difference.  I like hearing from you and your experiences,  you all have such special things to share and all of these wonderful improvements.  It's amazing.

Your faith is so powerful, you three.  You are such huge examples to me.  Thank you so much.

Never give up...I won't either.

I love you all with my whole soul.

Sorella Carlock