Thursday, April 3, 2014
Forty-eight: April 2, 2014 Genova
Its been an interesting week.
WE REACHED OUR GOAL! We had 25 lessons and we found 6 new investigators! This last week was sooo tiring. We fasted, and we prayed every hour. We really got out there. I talked to people. We just didn't give up. We did it!
Now it's transfer time, and Heavenly Father decided that Genova doesn't need sorelle right now, so the Genova 1 sorelle are gone, just anziani. So that means Sorella Carlock has been transferred.
I'm going to Vicenza! Its across the country. I think Genova is the furthest south I've been. There is an American naval base in Vicenza, which means there are 2 wards: American and Italian. WHICH MEANS 6 hours of church every Sunday- I'll be teaching in Italian and English. Weird.
After 11 months (11 month mark was yesterday) of being junior companion, I am now senior companion. The zone leader couldn't pronounce my companion's name...I think it starts with a W. I'm a little nervous because its 2 wards, more responsibility, and I have to get my REALLY HEAVY suitcases across the country...
Look, when you come here, fill a medium sized suitcases with necessities and put it in a big suitcase. I will need another suitcase to even out the weight. You can wear my clothes and my shoes. Pack LIGHT and bring an empty bag...please!!!
ANYWAY
We went over to lunch at a member's house...plates of food in front of us, what's that? Tripe. I ate it. I had cow stomach in my human stomach...I liked it. It was good. And odd. And.....I don't know. Interesting experience. My companion didn't know until after and I told her and she said, 'WHAT? I thought it was fish!'. Maybe I shouldn't have told her, ha ha.
Anyway again, so I'm leaving. To have one last hoorah, we're going to Camogli (look it up, it should be beautiful). It's a city, like Nervi, on the ocean. We'll have some good pics next week.
I don't know what else to talk about. I still haven't gotten the package, but I'm sure it'll come. How are you all doing??
---
About the produce here. I think it's good because of the climate and because its just untouched. Nature runs its course and we enjoy. Everything in the States is sanitary or up to some standard. We just need to leave it all alone and enjoy God's creations; that's my hippy schpiel...
---
Well....this has been another week full of great news. I don't even have the capacity to express my thanks to Heavenly Father for the blessings He has given us.
It's funny, because when I am feeling down, and a fleeting thought crosses my mind, like I want to go home, one of the things that 'keeps me here' is this thought: well, I can't go yet because these months have been paid for, I'll wait until the end of this month. Of course, I would NEVER do it, but you know how our minds work when we are feeling discouraged.
It's all covered. Even if I wanted to, WHICH I DON'T, I cAn't come home now! All of the sacrifices, all of the love and support. All of the prayers and blessings and trials and gifts and hope and light. All of it. I am so grateful to Heavenly Father. All of the people who helped pay.....I just don't even know what to say. thank you seems so miniscule. I am sooo grateful.- I'm just going to have to keep going and keep working and maybe that can help show my gratitude. I don't know what to say...
Heavenly Father loves us sooo much. He really wants to bless us. He is a loving, kind, present, giving Father. I know it. I feel it. I know it's true.
As I prepare to leave Genova, where I have been for more than half of my missionary service so far, I feel a spirit of peace and calm. It says in Preach My Gospel ''try to leave your area better than you found it''. I have done that here. I've really helped...because, and only because, I have been learning to work through the Lord. I've really been trying to submit my will and do the intelligent thing. I can walk away from a long 6 months and say, ''Genova is better now and I did my part''.
I know that there is always more to do. Vicenza is where I am supposed to be. I am soooo....not scared, but worried....that I won't be able to continue doing finding and being a good example of obedience to this younger sister. That scares me, I don't want to negatively effect her work. but I'll do my best, because I'm not going to be doing it alone anymore. I'm doing this with Christ, I'm doing His work, with Him, for Him, because of Him....who'd've thunk it??? I'm getting my head on straight. I'm going to do things the right way-
I am so happy. So ready to go and do. I love you all. I love you all soooo much. Know that you are prayed for and taken care of. God, your Father, loves YOU! Don't you know??
Be good
Keep praying
I am so excited to listen to our Prophet and all other church leaders. We will be connected, watching listening and learning together. Be prepared. Take notes!!!!
I love you
Until next week from Vicenza
Sorella "L." Carlock
WE REACHED OUR GOAL! We had 25 lessons and we found 6 new investigators! This last week was sooo tiring. We fasted, and we prayed every hour. We really got out there. I talked to people. We just didn't give up. We did it!
Now it's transfer time, and Heavenly Father decided that Genova doesn't need sorelle right now, so the Genova 1 sorelle are gone, just anziani. So that means Sorella Carlock has been transferred.
I'm going to Vicenza! Its across the country. I think Genova is the furthest south I've been. There is an American naval base in Vicenza, which means there are 2 wards: American and Italian. WHICH MEANS 6 hours of church every Sunday- I'll be teaching in Italian and English. Weird.
After 11 months (11 month mark was yesterday) of being junior companion, I am now senior companion. The zone leader couldn't pronounce my companion's name...I think it starts with a W. I'm a little nervous because its 2 wards, more responsibility, and I have to get my REALLY HEAVY suitcases across the country...
Look, when you come here, fill a medium sized suitcases with necessities and put it in a big suitcase. I will need another suitcase to even out the weight. You can wear my clothes and my shoes. Pack LIGHT and bring an empty bag...please!!!
ANYWAY
We went over to lunch at a member's house...plates of food in front of us, what's that? Tripe. I ate it. I had cow stomach in my human stomach...I liked it. It was good. And odd. And.....I don't know. Interesting experience. My companion didn't know until after and I told her and she said, 'WHAT? I thought it was fish!'. Maybe I shouldn't have told her, ha ha.
Anyway again, so I'm leaving. To have one last hoorah, we're going to Camogli (look it up, it should be beautiful). It's a city, like Nervi, on the ocean. We'll have some good pics next week.
I don't know what else to talk about. I still haven't gotten the package, but I'm sure it'll come. How are you all doing??
---
About the produce here. I think it's good because of the climate and because its just untouched. Nature runs its course and we enjoy. Everything in the States is sanitary or up to some standard. We just need to leave it all alone and enjoy God's creations; that's my hippy schpiel...
---
Well....this has been another week full of great news. I don't even have the capacity to express my thanks to Heavenly Father for the blessings He has given us.
It's funny, because when I am feeling down, and a fleeting thought crosses my mind, like I want to go home, one of the things that 'keeps me here' is this thought: well, I can't go yet because these months have been paid for, I'll wait until the end of this month. Of course, I would NEVER do it, but you know how our minds work when we are feeling discouraged.
It's all covered. Even if I wanted to, WHICH I DON'T, I cAn't come home now! All of the sacrifices, all of the love and support. All of the prayers and blessings and trials and gifts and hope and light. All of it. I am so grateful to Heavenly Father. All of the people who helped pay.....I just don't even know what to say. thank you seems so miniscule. I am sooo grateful.- I'm just going to have to keep going and keep working and maybe that can help show my gratitude. I don't know what to say...
Heavenly Father loves us sooo much. He really wants to bless us. He is a loving, kind, present, giving Father. I know it. I feel it. I know it's true.
As I prepare to leave Genova, where I have been for more than half of my missionary service so far, I feel a spirit of peace and calm. It says in Preach My Gospel ''try to leave your area better than you found it''. I have done that here. I've really helped...because, and only because, I have been learning to work through the Lord. I've really been trying to submit my will and do the intelligent thing. I can walk away from a long 6 months and say, ''Genova is better now and I did my part''.
I know that there is always more to do. Vicenza is where I am supposed to be. I am soooo....not scared, but worried....that I won't be able to continue doing finding and being a good example of obedience to this younger sister. That scares me, I don't want to negatively effect her work. but I'll do my best, because I'm not going to be doing it alone anymore. I'm doing this with Christ, I'm doing His work, with Him, for Him, because of Him....who'd've thunk it??? I'm getting my head on straight. I'm going to do things the right way-
I am so happy. So ready to go and do. I love you all. I love you all soooo much. Know that you are prayed for and taken care of. God, your Father, loves YOU! Don't you know??
Be good
Keep praying
I am so excited to listen to our Prophet and all other church leaders. We will be connected, watching listening and learning together. Be prepared. Take notes!!!!
I love you
Until next week from Vicenza
Sorella "L." Carlock
Forty-seven: March 26, 2014 Genova
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MOMMY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!
happy birthday!!!!
How was it? I'm sorry I didnt email you last week to congratulate you!
What did you do?
--
First, I didn't get the contacts. That customs charge was for the shirts. So I don't have the contacts and card yet. We shall see soon. Dont worry about it though!
i got my new retainer. its a thin transparent plastic kind and I like it a lot! It isn't a correcting/straightening retainer but it will keep my teeth from shifting even more, and they're not that bad, they're better than before at least. All good things-
This week, is 'celestial week'. President has done a week where we all were really trying to consecrate the week...but this week its our choice. We're going all in. We are all in. Our goal for lessons this week is 25---that's a lot. Standard of Excellence says 15...we can do 25. We have taught 7 already, 2 more tonight, and the rest of the week is packed. We are going to do it because we need to improve the area, help others to know the truth, and finish the transfer with a bang. Its good all around.
I even did some finding! I talked to people, I just went up and asked them a gospel based question and it felt good. We had been praying and fasting and that help really did it. I'm not going to try to do anything on my own anymore; it doesn't work that way. It shouldn't work that way. After all, it isn't my work. I'm learning that now. I'm doing it now!
Its been good.
So, I am really glad that you got the email from Sorella Fava. I love her so much. She offered to have you all spend a night or two here when you come. What do you think? There is a best western or something, we could do half and half. I think you'll want to spend a few days here in Genova. I know I might want to show you a few things.
What other things have you thought of?
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FIXING MY CARD! It is soo great because I think I can pick up the platter today! I'll try at least. Then next week, if you want, I can send a picture. or you can wait til you come, I dont know.
--
There isn't much else to say. I am so excited for General Conference. I feel like it means so much more as a missionary because I'm in it, I'm doing it. I'm so much more involved. I want to continue that when I go home. Almost 11 months. Transfer are next week. I have no idea what will happen, I just know that I want to keep going and that is what counts.
---
Thank you so much for your email.
Last week you sent me a little picture that says, start each day with a grateful heart and Ive been trying that too-
I do something I like to call grateful prayers, when I just pray only expressing grattitude, just to show that there are so many things God has done for me, and that I see His hand and am grateful.
Thank you for the excerpt about ebeneezers.- it is so true. I cant even think about how different of a person I am. I am truly changed.
Mommy, please don't be hurt for the things of the past. Don't be sad for the things that I have experienced. I am not sad. I am better because of them.
I was talking to Sorella Harward on the bus as we often do, and she said sometimes God lets us do something once and completely mess it up so that when we do it the next time we know how to do it right. Elder Holland backs that up to with this Mormon message. ...
http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=2714780496001
With my life, for example, when I was engaged, it was a disaster. I was a complete mess thinking that I knew everything and I would be ok. It turned out to be one of the most awful experiences ever....BUT, there is hope!
Because I have done it before, because I messed up, because I was prepared (slightly) for that kind of commitment, I can do it again. Some of the things...beh...all of the things in my life have prepared me to do the right things when the RIGHT MOMENT COMES!
Like Elder Holland says, sometimes we have to do the wrong thing so that we dont doubt when we're on the right road. He wants us to get on the right road and be sure!!!
I know this is true and real. The Spirit testified this to me. Do not be sad for my life. It set me on the right path and now I know with the utmost certainty that it is the right road.
You said that the good things of my life dont cancel out the bad, but they do! I am clean. Those moments are gone and they have not only disappeared, but they have been for MY GOOD. I am pure and clean and new and good and whole. That is the promise of the Gospel, of the Plan. I know it is true. I am living it and teaching it. I am a good missionary. I am not perfect, but I am trying to be better every day. I am a good person.
I love you all. You are my support and my strength. I love your letters. They sustain me and keep me going. I miss you...but only because I just want to tell you all of these great things and share these experiences with you. You can't be here physically yet, but I'll see you soon enough. Too soon, I think ha ha. I'm not so sure I wouldn't extend if they changed that too....
You are special children of God and He answers my prayers for you and your prayers as well. Keep going. Keep seeking Him in your lives. He knows you and wants to help you.
I love you and I know that we are an eternal family.
Don't give up. We can do this. We can do this together...from opposite sides of the world.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MOMMY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!
happy birthday!!!!
How was it? I'm sorry I didnt email you last week to congratulate you!
What did you do?
--
First, I didn't get the contacts. That customs charge was for the shirts. So I don't have the contacts and card yet. We shall see soon. Dont worry about it though!
i got my new retainer. its a thin transparent plastic kind and I like it a lot! It isn't a correcting/straightening retainer but it will keep my teeth from shifting even more, and they're not that bad, they're better than before at least. All good things-
This week, is 'celestial week'. President has done a week where we all were really trying to consecrate the week...but this week its our choice. We're going all in. We are all in. Our goal for lessons this week is 25---that's a lot. Standard of Excellence says 15...we can do 25. We have taught 7 already, 2 more tonight, and the rest of the week is packed. We are going to do it because we need to improve the area, help others to know the truth, and finish the transfer with a bang. Its good all around.
I even did some finding! I talked to people, I just went up and asked them a gospel based question and it felt good. We had been praying and fasting and that help really did it. I'm not going to try to do anything on my own anymore; it doesn't work that way. It shouldn't work that way. After all, it isn't my work. I'm learning that now. I'm doing it now!
Its been good.
So, I am really glad that you got the email from Sorella Fava. I love her so much. She offered to have you all spend a night or two here when you come. What do you think? There is a best western or something, we could do half and half. I think you'll want to spend a few days here in Genova. I know I might want to show you a few things.
What other things have you thought of?
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FIXING MY CARD! It is soo great because I think I can pick up the platter today! I'll try at least. Then next week, if you want, I can send a picture. or you can wait til you come, I dont know.
--
There isn't much else to say. I am so excited for General Conference. I feel like it means so much more as a missionary because I'm in it, I'm doing it. I'm so much more involved. I want to continue that when I go home. Almost 11 months. Transfer are next week. I have no idea what will happen, I just know that I want to keep going and that is what counts.
---
Thank you so much for your email.
Last week you sent me a little picture that says, start each day with a grateful heart and Ive been trying that too-
I do something I like to call grateful prayers, when I just pray only expressing grattitude, just to show that there are so many things God has done for me, and that I see His hand and am grateful.
Thank you for the excerpt about ebeneezers.- it is so true. I cant even think about how different of a person I am. I am truly changed.
Mommy, please don't be hurt for the things of the past. Don't be sad for the things that I have experienced. I am not sad. I am better because of them.
I was talking to Sorella Harward on the bus as we often do, and she said sometimes God lets us do something once and completely mess it up so that when we do it the next time we know how to do it right. Elder Holland backs that up to with this Mormon message. ...
http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=2714780496001
With my life, for example, when I was engaged, it was a disaster. I was a complete mess thinking that I knew everything and I would be ok. It turned out to be one of the most awful experiences ever....BUT, there is hope!
Because I have done it before, because I messed up, because I was prepared (slightly) for that kind of commitment, I can do it again. Some of the things...beh...all of the things in my life have prepared me to do the right things when the RIGHT MOMENT COMES!
Like Elder Holland says, sometimes we have to do the wrong thing so that we dont doubt when we're on the right road. He wants us to get on the right road and be sure!!!
I know this is true and real. The Spirit testified this to me. Do not be sad for my life. It set me on the right path and now I know with the utmost certainty that it is the right road.
You said that the good things of my life dont cancel out the bad, but they do! I am clean. Those moments are gone and they have not only disappeared, but they have been for MY GOOD. I am pure and clean and new and good and whole. That is the promise of the Gospel, of the Plan. I know it is true. I am living it and teaching it. I am a good missionary. I am not perfect, but I am trying to be better every day. I am a good person.
I love you all. You are my support and my strength. I love your letters. They sustain me and keep me going. I miss you...but only because I just want to tell you all of these great things and share these experiences with you. You can't be here physically yet, but I'll see you soon enough. Too soon, I think ha ha. I'm not so sure I wouldn't extend if they changed that too....
You are special children of God and He answers my prayers for you and your prayers as well. Keep going. Keep seeking Him in your lives. He knows you and wants to help you.
I love you and I know that we are an eternal family.
Don't give up. We can do this. We can do this together...from opposite sides of the world.
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