Thursday, April 3, 2014
A lovely note from a lovely sorella in Italia - love crosses the ocean...heart to heart
Some words to introduce myself....am a sister of the LDS Church in Genova Italia.... I had a beautiful day with the two young missionaries - we were invited by a "new contact" nice lady of about my age....over 75. She prepared for us a wonderful lunch as she understood that sister Carlock likes "ravioli" (ma anche arrosto buonissimo e fragole con gelato!!). We indeed enjoyed our staying together without feeling any difference of age !!!! The two young missionaries were smiling enjoying and in good health and in high spirit. I can assure you this is really true !!!!!!!! They send you their love and a hug waiting for wednesday to come......Hoping to meet you sometimes have my best regards. Paola Fava
Forty-five: March 12, 2014 Genova
Hi. How are you?
Is it starting to be spring there like it is here?
I'm not wearing a jacket. It's great.
Whats new? What have you been up to?
You know what, I forgot to email you last week. I didn't forget but I forgot to email you about Liam. I'm sorry. How are you doing?
This week has been a rough week...just completely draining and I've had a rough time...more internally than externally.
Then I come to do internet and its been an explosion of strengthening words, miracles, expressions of love, etc. It definitely helps. It does.
Sometimes I guess life needs to be hard...men are that they might have joy, but if men hadn't fallen and experiencing pain...they wouldn't know love and peace...so here I am, learning joy and peace! Ha ha
So I took Wes Avery's advice and I have been trying to find things to keep from after-the-mission trophies, I guess.
I bought Alice in Wonderland and I am getting it rebound..so that I can read it with Eva, and then eventually to my children as a children's bedtime book.
I am also trying to find little handcrafted or ...just personal things that will make me feel happy I served here and make me enjoy it. Everything is fairly cheap though...except shoes and clothes...when it comes to price for all of these things. Meno male.
I'm reading the part in your email that talks about your summer schedule and I'm looking at the dates and thinking ''thats all wrong, there is no 27th month''. Ha ha, in Europe the do day then month and so I was thinking ''backwards'' I guess. There are little things like that that make it all the more interesting.
For your 2 different programs. I don't know what to tell you either. I would say the one that causes less strain...but that's just me.. You have so much to do already, maybe taking the calmer class will help you. Just pray and 'go with your gut'. I wish I was there to sit and talk to you about all of these things.
I have a few quesitons.
If Tanner is going to be in school in the fall, he'll be in school when you need to come pick me up. How are we going to do that?
I also have a question about my face. I dont want to have giant pores on my nose...makeup.it sucks, but is so great.
Are there any good cleansing tricks to help me shrink my pores and clean them out well?
Let me know
Well I dont have much to say. Im going to keep going. My companion is really helping me, just getting down to the core and walking with me, if you know what I mean-
I'm going to get through this because I have to...in the sense that I can't just let it go. I am not a perfect missionary...I dont do street contacting/forever finding. I am not filled with charity in the way that I would like to be..I can't just blurt out, ''there is a living prophet today''. I wish I was better and I pray every day to be filled with charity and love and courage. I really, REALLY want to get better though, and for that I cannot give up. I have to keep going. I know I can be better. I just have to act-..and thats where I'm stumped. I just have to try.
So this is where I am right now. I'm really getting down to all the crevices of my soul ha ha, and I'm getting it all out there this week, or at least it feels that way. I know I am not alone. I know there is so much love and support and guidance. I'm going to be really changed after this whole process. It'll be worth it.
My new journal is going really great. and my 'keepsake' journal is coming along too. I have received a lot of revelation and I'm putting them in that journal so that I can remember everything.
You know...(even before I came out and especially now) I dont know the full reason for why I am here...but that's ok. I'll know at the end. I'm learning patience and humility...and its going to be great. Dont give up on me though ha ha.
I know that God lives. I know it. I know Jesus, the Christ, knows exactly how I feel and that is comforting
>speaking of Jesus, how can we prepare as a family to enjoy Easter more fully? What can we study. I've been reading in Jesus the Christ and it really opened my eyes.
study plan!?
Thank you for your emails and the song and your words, love, and prayers. Thank you.
---
About Lucy, we went to their house on Sunday and I forgot my camera. I'll get a picture though, dont you worry. She is just sweet as can be, bold in a little girl kind of way, smart, fun. We played some game of cups together and I just ....I just love her.
The people...Italy is intense and crazy and so much full of sin and sadness...but the people, the good and honest people make it worth it.
---
Today we are going to Nervi again, but this time to a different part. it's beautiful.
...
I'm losing weight! My double chin from pasta is going away. No more pasta here on Via Cantore! Not worth it. Plus the fruit stand guy where we buy our produce gives us extra fruit and veggies for free sooo...can't complain here.
I'm sorry for all of the snow, but like you said..snow is melting, spring is coming....Easter is coming soon, and General Conference..best part of the year. There is hope yet! Ha ha.
I love you all-..I'm sorry my email is all jubbly today- I'm fine. I promise. Sometimes you just have to purge a little, get all of the gunk out and then its ok. I'm getting the gunk out of my character. It's great! ...it will be ha ha.
I love you
I love hearing from you, every little thing. All of it.
I know that this is the work of the Lord and I know it is true and just.
This is life eternal. This, like Tanney says, is REAL life. I get it now.
I know we are children of God and that He wants us all to simply be happy, follow His plan, and eventually return to Him. This is what its all about.
Keep smiling
Keep going
As Dory says, and Sorella Harward and McCann, just keep swimming.
It can only get better.
Sorella Carlock
Is it starting to be spring there like it is here?
I'm not wearing a jacket. It's great.
Whats new? What have you been up to?
You know what, I forgot to email you last week. I didn't forget but I forgot to email you about Liam. I'm sorry. How are you doing?
This week has been a rough week...just completely draining and I've had a rough time...more internally than externally.
Then I come to do internet and its been an explosion of strengthening words, miracles, expressions of love, etc. It definitely helps. It does.
Sometimes I guess life needs to be hard...men are that they might have joy, but if men hadn't fallen and experiencing pain...they wouldn't know love and peace...so here I am, learning joy and peace! Ha ha
So I took Wes Avery's advice and I have been trying to find things to keep from after-the-mission trophies, I guess.
I bought Alice in Wonderland and I am getting it rebound..so that I can read it with Eva, and then eventually to my children as a children's bedtime book.
I am also trying to find little handcrafted or ...just personal things that will make me feel happy I served here and make me enjoy it. Everything is fairly cheap though...except shoes and clothes...when it comes to price for all of these things. Meno male.
I'm reading the part in your email that talks about your summer schedule and I'm looking at the dates and thinking ''thats all wrong, there is no 27th month''. Ha ha, in Europe the do day then month and so I was thinking ''backwards'' I guess. There are little things like that that make it all the more interesting.
For your 2 different programs. I don't know what to tell you either. I would say the one that causes less strain...but that's just me.. You have so much to do already, maybe taking the calmer class will help you. Just pray and 'go with your gut'. I wish I was there to sit and talk to you about all of these things.
I have a few quesitons.
If Tanner is going to be in school in the fall, he'll be in school when you need to come pick me up. How are we going to do that?
I also have a question about my face. I dont want to have giant pores on my nose...makeup.it sucks, but is so great.
Are there any good cleansing tricks to help me shrink my pores and clean them out well?
Let me know
Well I dont have much to say. Im going to keep going. My companion is really helping me, just getting down to the core and walking with me, if you know what I mean-
I'm going to get through this because I have to...in the sense that I can't just let it go. I am not a perfect missionary...I dont do street contacting/forever finding. I am not filled with charity in the way that I would like to be..I can't just blurt out, ''there is a living prophet today''. I wish I was better and I pray every day to be filled with charity and love and courage. I really, REALLY want to get better though, and for that I cannot give up. I have to keep going. I know I can be better. I just have to act-..and thats where I'm stumped. I just have to try.
So this is where I am right now. I'm really getting down to all the crevices of my soul ha ha, and I'm getting it all out there this week, or at least it feels that way. I know I am not alone. I know there is so much love and support and guidance. I'm going to be really changed after this whole process. It'll be worth it.
My new journal is going really great. and my 'keepsake' journal is coming along too. I have received a lot of revelation and I'm putting them in that journal so that I can remember everything.
You know...(even before I came out and especially now) I dont know the full reason for why I am here...but that's ok. I'll know at the end. I'm learning patience and humility...and its going to be great. Dont give up on me though ha ha.
I know that God lives. I know it. I know Jesus, the Christ, knows exactly how I feel and that is comforting
>speaking of Jesus, how can we prepare as a family to enjoy Easter more fully? What can we study. I've been reading in Jesus the Christ and it really opened my eyes.
study plan!?
Thank you for your emails and the song and your words, love, and prayers. Thank you.
---
About Lucy, we went to their house on Sunday and I forgot my camera. I'll get a picture though, dont you worry. She is just sweet as can be, bold in a little girl kind of way, smart, fun. We played some game of cups together and I just ....I just love her.
The people...Italy is intense and crazy and so much full of sin and sadness...but the people, the good and honest people make it worth it.
---
Today we are going to Nervi again, but this time to a different part. it's beautiful.
...
I'm losing weight! My double chin from pasta is going away. No more pasta here on Via Cantore! Not worth it. Plus the fruit stand guy where we buy our produce gives us extra fruit and veggies for free sooo...can't complain here.
I'm sorry for all of the snow, but like you said..snow is melting, spring is coming....Easter is coming soon, and General Conference..best part of the year. There is hope yet! Ha ha.
I love you all-..I'm sorry my email is all jubbly today- I'm fine. I promise. Sometimes you just have to purge a little, get all of the gunk out and then its ok. I'm getting the gunk out of my character. It's great! ...it will be ha ha.
I love you
I love hearing from you, every little thing. All of it.
I know that this is the work of the Lord and I know it is true and just.
This is life eternal. This, like Tanney says, is REAL life. I get it now.
I know we are children of God and that He wants us all to simply be happy, follow His plan, and eventually return to Him. This is what its all about.
Keep smiling
Keep going
As Dory says, and Sorella Harward and McCann, just keep swimming.
It can only get better.
Sorella Carlock
Forty-four: March 5, 2014 Genova
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!
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!
Forty-three: February 26, 2014 Genova
Here I am! Emailing you!
How are you all?
How is the weather? Is it still crazy? Are you safe and warm? Do you have power?
I got the package of the clothes!!!
I'm wearing them right now, in fatti!
THANK YOU SO MUCH. it's all so cute and it fits and I feel happy and like a cute sister missionary.
I love it. Thank you for helping me always.
--
Well I was reading this talk the other day and there was a section that reminded me of your snow/repentance story
the talk is from Sheri Dew and she says
''The road less traveled is actually the easier road''
and I thought about the more snowy path, the less traveled path, and how it just happened to be the right one.
and then it reminded me of the scripture: straight is the gate to eternal life, and wide is the gate to hell.
I'm learning the same things!
I'm learning the difference between repentance and TRUE repentance, really being changed.
My goal for the mission is to come home feeling accomplished and new; able to enjoy all of the blessings of the temple. To be worthy of a celestial life, family, marriage, mansion. Not that I need to be perfect when the end comes, but that I will be that much closer to Christ on the path.
---
This week we have stayed in a lot because Sorella Harward has been really sick. It's not too bad though because I'm not feeling to hot either, we get to do a lot of organizational work on the area, and I have been studying a lot too.
We're really trying to clean up Genova. It's kind of been stuck in the mud, I guess you could say, and we want it to be fresh and new and lively. It needs to be strong and we're going to get it there. I love Genova. I have to leave it better than I found it.
I finished the Book of Mormon!!! Again. This is my 3rd time reading it all the way through.
SO! I started it over....in Italian! I'm getting rid of English. I want to be an Italian missionary. Two feet in, ya know what I mean?
I'm going to continue to read the Bible in English.....the Italian bible....well, its hard...lets just say that.
But I'm reading Preach My Gospel and the Book of Mormon only in Italian. It's been great with PMG, and I know reading ONLY in the BoM in Italian will strengthen my language skills. So I'm excited!
Also, I've almost finished writing in the journal that I've had for almost 3 years now. Sad but AWESOME! I have never really been good at keeping a journal, but I want to buy an Italian leather one, only write in Italian, and I think that will keep me motivated to do it ha ha...I don't know. Self improvement all around! I'm going to keep a great journal!
Last, my housemates and I have started a contract and an exercise plan and I really want to make sure I am doing all I can do enjoy ALL the blessings of being a human being ha ha.
I am going to be so changed after this, its going to be great.
I feel happy
I feel clean
I feel loved
I feel protected
I know that I am not alone
I'm sorry that I don't talk about investigators or Genova more. We don't have much of anyone right now because we're revamping the city and we have been sickies.
Next week though, expect something good!
:) I know Christ stands beside us
We are baptized members of His church and we wear His name
Heavenly Father loves us, and He gave us His spirit so that we could feel loved and be guided back to Him.
Just pray to Him
Love Him by serving His children
Earn your place in Heaven by loving Him today!
You are my motivation to be better...other than Jesus and our investigators, you keep me going!
Work hard
Play
Just enjoy living
I love you all
Never forget who you are
Sorella Carlock
How are you all?
How is the weather? Is it still crazy? Are you safe and warm? Do you have power?
I got the package of the clothes!!!
I'm wearing them right now, in fatti!
THANK YOU SO MUCH. it's all so cute and it fits and I feel happy and like a cute sister missionary.
I love it. Thank you for helping me always.
--
Well I was reading this talk the other day and there was a section that reminded me of your snow/repentance story
the talk is from Sheri Dew and she says
''The road less traveled is actually the easier road''
and I thought about the more snowy path, the less traveled path, and how it just happened to be the right one.
and then it reminded me of the scripture: straight is the gate to eternal life, and wide is the gate to hell.
I'm learning the same things!
I'm learning the difference between repentance and TRUE repentance, really being changed.
My goal for the mission is to come home feeling accomplished and new; able to enjoy all of the blessings of the temple. To be worthy of a celestial life, family, marriage, mansion. Not that I need to be perfect when the end comes, but that I will be that much closer to Christ on the path.
---
This week we have stayed in a lot because Sorella Harward has been really sick. It's not too bad though because I'm not feeling to hot either, we get to do a lot of organizational work on the area, and I have been studying a lot too.
We're really trying to clean up Genova. It's kind of been stuck in the mud, I guess you could say, and we want it to be fresh and new and lively. It needs to be strong and we're going to get it there. I love Genova. I have to leave it better than I found it.
I finished the Book of Mormon!!! Again. This is my 3rd time reading it all the way through.
SO! I started it over....in Italian! I'm getting rid of English. I want to be an Italian missionary. Two feet in, ya know what I mean?
I'm going to continue to read the Bible in English.....the Italian bible....well, its hard...lets just say that.
But I'm reading Preach My Gospel and the Book of Mormon only in Italian. It's been great with PMG, and I know reading ONLY in the BoM in Italian will strengthen my language skills. So I'm excited!
Also, I've almost finished writing in the journal that I've had for almost 3 years now. Sad but AWESOME! I have never really been good at keeping a journal, but I want to buy an Italian leather one, only write in Italian, and I think that will keep me motivated to do it ha ha...I don't know. Self improvement all around! I'm going to keep a great journal!
Last, my housemates and I have started a contract and an exercise plan and I really want to make sure I am doing all I can do enjoy ALL the blessings of being a human being ha ha.
I am going to be so changed after this, its going to be great.
I feel happy
I feel clean
I feel loved
I feel protected
I know that I am not alone
I'm sorry that I don't talk about investigators or Genova more. We don't have much of anyone right now because we're revamping the city and we have been sickies.
Next week though, expect something good!
:) I know Christ stands beside us
We are baptized members of His church and we wear His name
Heavenly Father loves us, and He gave us His spirit so that we could feel loved and be guided back to Him.
Just pray to Him
Love Him by serving His children
Earn your place in Heaven by loving Him today!
You are my motivation to be better...other than Jesus and our investigators, you keep me going!
Work hard
Play
Just enjoy living
I love you all
Never forget who you are
Sorella Carlock
Forty-two: February 19, 2014 Genova
Hey! I'm still here in good, old Genova with Sorella Harward.
This will be my 4th transfer here. It's weird because Sorella Harward is finshing next transfer, so they either will transfer me after this and bring 2 new sisters in OR I'll be in Genova for 5 transfers which is about 7 months.
We'll see!
Are you all still alive with all of these crazy storms?
What's going on?
I'm glad to hear about the new branch for the Latinos! That's great. I'm sure they'll love it.
Well don't freak out...really not a big deal, but we went to the hospital this week.
I thought I might have a UTI and so Sorela Dibb said just go to the hospital and take a test....
worst
worst
worst
worst
worst
you have no idea.
let's just leave it at that.
Just saying, you can't complain about Mountainside Hospital, you just can't. it's a mansion...with crystal clear, sparkly clean, sanitary everything compared...just...don't try to picture it. That's a story I can tell when we're all back together again.
I'm ok. No infection, no nothing. All good. They gave me some antibiotics and told me to drink water...well, I knew that. ha ha Just...we'll talk about that later.
Anyway, cool story, in the hospital the woman taking my blood, obviously asked me my first name and I told her.
Zoe...obviously....
she knew what it means.
She said oh wow, life. that's a great name. compliments to your parents!
So, yeah, I thought that was cool!
...
ANOTHER FUNNY THING
Yeah so, Italians love crocs...love them!
Mario Battali wearing orange crocs, not so individual.
It's an italian thing I'm guessing-
---
Yay, the skirt is coming! Woohoo! Thank you for being patient and sending that! And thank you for the new shirts...It's hard to be a sister sometimes, because you run out of outfits by the end of the week and then you have to wear everything all over again! So I appreciate it! Thank you.
This letter is a little scatter-brained, sorry.
We are really trying this week to strengthen our ward and work hard. Genova needs new and strong members. The members are great here, but giving them someone to help would keep all of the energy and spirit up, I think.
We are going to work on finding new investigators this week to keep up the flow, to keep our spirits up too!
Everything is good so far, just wanting to step it up a notch.
I want to improve, not sit on my hands waiting to be awesome. I'm trying.
Sorella Harward and I are going to do great things.
-
We got a new washer this week and we ''spring-cleaned'' or GEM cleaned, as we call it here, the apartment this week. Everything is fresh and clean. We're just trying to clear everything out and start fresh, in missionary work and in the house.
I dont think I told you last week, but the other sorelle and I have signed a pact haha to try to be more healthful so that we can ..be better...and not so fat lol. I've gained some weight here and I don't want to be heavy, but I also don't want to die because of not eating well or because I always take the elevator. So small and simple things, we'll get there.
I hope you all are doing well. I'm still working on strengthening the basics, because if your foundation is cracked, what'a'ya gonna do? I want to be a good missioanry and I want to go home feeling I did all that I could. I had a lot of mental struggles this week, but my companion really helped me get through them. We're working really well together and I'm glad we're staying the same. She's great.
Please keep updating me- let me know.
I love you all. I'm still working on charity ha ha, but I'll love everyone else soon too I hope.
Be good, and I'll be good too.
Smile... :)
Keep praying-
You can do anything
Sorella Carlock
This will be my 4th transfer here. It's weird because Sorella Harward is finshing next transfer, so they either will transfer me after this and bring 2 new sisters in OR I'll be in Genova for 5 transfers which is about 7 months.
We'll see!
Are you all still alive with all of these crazy storms?
What's going on?
I'm glad to hear about the new branch for the Latinos! That's great. I'm sure they'll love it.
Well don't freak out...really not a big deal, but we went to the hospital this week.
I thought I might have a UTI and so Sorela Dibb said just go to the hospital and take a test....
worst
worst
worst
worst
worst
you have no idea.
let's just leave it at that.
Just saying, you can't complain about Mountainside Hospital, you just can't. it's a mansion...with crystal clear, sparkly clean, sanitary everything compared...just...don't try to picture it. That's a story I can tell when we're all back together again.
I'm ok. No infection, no nothing. All good. They gave me some antibiotics and told me to drink water...well, I knew that. ha ha Just...we'll talk about that later.
Anyway, cool story, in the hospital the woman taking my blood, obviously asked me my first name and I told her.
Zoe...obviously....
she knew what it means.
She said oh wow, life. that's a great name. compliments to your parents!
So, yeah, I thought that was cool!
...
ANOTHER FUNNY THING
Yeah so, Italians love crocs...love them!
Mario Battali wearing orange crocs, not so individual.
It's an italian thing I'm guessing-
---
Yay, the skirt is coming! Woohoo! Thank you for being patient and sending that! And thank you for the new shirts...It's hard to be a sister sometimes, because you run out of outfits by the end of the week and then you have to wear everything all over again! So I appreciate it! Thank you.
This letter is a little scatter-brained, sorry.
We are really trying this week to strengthen our ward and work hard. Genova needs new and strong members. The members are great here, but giving them someone to help would keep all of the energy and spirit up, I think.
We are going to work on finding new investigators this week to keep up the flow, to keep our spirits up too!
Everything is good so far, just wanting to step it up a notch.
I want to improve, not sit on my hands waiting to be awesome. I'm trying.
Sorella Harward and I are going to do great things.
-
We got a new washer this week and we ''spring-cleaned'' or GEM cleaned, as we call it here, the apartment this week. Everything is fresh and clean. We're just trying to clear everything out and start fresh, in missionary work and in the house.
I dont think I told you last week, but the other sorelle and I have signed a pact haha to try to be more healthful so that we can ..be better...and not so fat lol. I've gained some weight here and I don't want to be heavy, but I also don't want to die because of not eating well or because I always take the elevator. So small and simple things, we'll get there.
I hope you all are doing well. I'm still working on strengthening the basics, because if your foundation is cracked, what'a'ya gonna do? I want to be a good missioanry and I want to go home feeling I did all that I could. I had a lot of mental struggles this week, but my companion really helped me get through them. We're working really well together and I'm glad we're staying the same. She's great.
Please keep updating me- let me know.
I love you all. I'm still working on charity ha ha, but I'll love everyone else soon too I hope.
Be good, and I'll be good too.
Smile... :)
Keep praying-
You can do anything
Sorella Carlock
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