Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Thirty-three: December 18, 2013 Genova
and Happy middle of transfer transfers.
We live with the Sister Training Leaders. They serve in Genova 2, us in Genova 1. One finished today and so President put us in a TRIO. So we are in a trio, covering all of Genova with only 1 Sister Training Leader.
It's just for 3 weeks but what a challenge! I'm excited. I think it'll help me to learn some of the things I've ...unlearned, let's say, or the things I need to improve on. Plus, I like Sorella Durfee a lot and so I think it'll be really cool. We'll have to move all of our beds into one room and adjust some stuff, but this way, we can all spend Christmas together.
There are some things that we are allowed to do for Christmas. We ARE allowed to go to midnight mass if we want....I don't want to. I think it's a contradiction to our calling. And New Jersey and New York are full of catholic churches, I can go when I get home if I want. Also, we are allowed to watch one Disney movie on Christmas....I don't really get the movie thing ha ha, I think it's silly, but if you have any good Disney suggestions, let us know!
For New Years, we have to be in by 5pm!!!! Want to know why?
Because Italians take the phrase ''out with the old, in with the new'' literally. People throw old appliances and furniture out the window into the streets...yeah, we're going to be in at 5pm- for sure ha ha.
---
We had our Christmas Conference on Monday. It was lovely, I liked it a lot. It was a day full of little miracles. Like the Christmas box! Thank you! Like I told Mom, I opened it and took some things out for now, but I'm not going to use some of the things until Christmas, so that I can ''open a present''.
I really like the mug. I was just thinking about buying a mug this week on PDay! But I don't have to!!! And my mug changes design :P . Take that other, non-purchased mug!
I love all of it. I read myself the Christmas story every night, aka since Monday night. But thank you, I love it! It makes me feel really special. We can't light candles, but I placed it on our radiator to kind of ''perfume the air'' so that's nice. :)
We also had an investigator come to the Christmas Devotional and I thought it was lovely. I think she did too. It was a great conference. It was weird because we watched it in Italian, but in the background you can kind of hear them speaking English ha ha.
---
Something silly....so we use the bus mostly...lately, I've been getting bus-sick and it kind of stinks! I don't like to sit down because I feel like that's rude, like someone else should be sitting, I can stand. So I try not to sit down even though I get nauseous because it feels wrong. But whatever. Silly.
I have been reading the Christmas hymns, and it's been really helpful. My favorite is O Little Town of Bethlehem for sure, and It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. Those are good. Very spiritual. I think I'll try to write another Christmas song for language study or something. Cool huh? an italian Christmas song, missionary style...eh, we'll see.
---
Could you send me some aardvarks songs that are not too difficult to understand. We teach a woman English and she wants to teach her son. I told her aardvarks stuff would be good, maybe you could send ones that are a little slower paced so she can understand...she understand perfectly but it just can't be too fast. maybe lullabies.
I don't know, just a thought!
Also......I'm sorry, don't hate me for being needy!
I'm almost out of contacts. I'm on my last one for my left eye. They've lasted almost 8 months on a 3 month supply so that's pretty good right? Don't rush about it, It's not an emergency.
----
I'm sorry. This email isn't very spiritual BUT! I do have something good!
That talk that you sent me FOR TIMES OF TROUBLE by Elder Holland
I've read it maybe 4 times since I got it and I share it with everyone.
I've decided in order to fulfill my missionary purpose, I am going to follow some advice that I found in it this last time I read it.
He says
Immerse yourself in the scriptures
Pray and Fast with devotion and ...something
Serve others
Be patient
Have faith
...every day I'm going to just something work on doing those things. I think it will change my view of things, while keep an eternal view on it all.
good adivce from a wise leader of the Church of our Saviour!
----
all is good.
By far, this has been the most blessed, peaceful, spiritual Christmas and time as a missionary. I am a child of a living, active Heavenly Father. He sends His spirit to sustain me. He sent His perfect Son to live, die, and live for us all.
I know that Jesus Christ was a Perfect Son to a Perfect Father- I know that He can save us from our sins if we come unto Him. Our Perfect Example loves us and can heal us.
I know we are eternal. Miracles exist and happen every day. I am a witness of a living Father, a loving God. I am a representative of His Son, Jesus the Christ.
That's all I have to say.
I dont need to see Them to believe. I know. I know it.
I serve the Lord because I love Him. I repent and change because He has made that possible.
My heart strains because I can't fit all of the love I feel for Him in there! Ha ha!
I love my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I can never repay Him for all of the blessings and love and opportunity He has given me.
This is the time where I feel closest to Him. I hope you do, too.
Praise Him!
Merry Christmas to all!
I love you.
Sorella Carlock
We live with the Sister Training Leaders. They serve in Genova 2, us in Genova 1. One finished today and so President put us in a TRIO. So we are in a trio, covering all of Genova with only 1 Sister Training Leader.
It's just for 3 weeks but what a challenge! I'm excited. I think it'll help me to learn some of the things I've ...unlearned, let's say, or the things I need to improve on. Plus, I like Sorella Durfee a lot and so I think it'll be really cool. We'll have to move all of our beds into one room and adjust some stuff, but this way, we can all spend Christmas together.
There are some things that we are allowed to do for Christmas. We ARE allowed to go to midnight mass if we want....I don't want to. I think it's a contradiction to our calling. And New Jersey and New York are full of catholic churches, I can go when I get home if I want. Also, we are allowed to watch one Disney movie on Christmas....I don't really get the movie thing ha ha, I think it's silly, but if you have any good Disney suggestions, let us know!
For New Years, we have to be in by 5pm!!!! Want to know why?
Because Italians take the phrase ''out with the old, in with the new'' literally. People throw old appliances and furniture out the window into the streets...yeah, we're going to be in at 5pm- for sure ha ha.
---
We had our Christmas Conference on Monday. It was lovely, I liked it a lot. It was a day full of little miracles. Like the Christmas box! Thank you! Like I told Mom, I opened it and took some things out for now, but I'm not going to use some of the things until Christmas, so that I can ''open a present''.
I really like the mug. I was just thinking about buying a mug this week on PDay! But I don't have to!!! And my mug changes design :P . Take that other, non-purchased mug!
I love all of it. I read myself the Christmas story every night, aka since Monday night. But thank you, I love it! It makes me feel really special. We can't light candles, but I placed it on our radiator to kind of ''perfume the air'' so that's nice. :)
We also had an investigator come to the Christmas Devotional and I thought it was lovely. I think she did too. It was a great conference. It was weird because we watched it in Italian, but in the background you can kind of hear them speaking English ha ha.
---
Something silly....so we use the bus mostly...lately, I've been getting bus-sick and it kind of stinks! I don't like to sit down because I feel like that's rude, like someone else should be sitting, I can stand. So I try not to sit down even though I get nauseous because it feels wrong. But whatever. Silly.
I have been reading the Christmas hymns, and it's been really helpful. My favorite is O Little Town of Bethlehem for sure, and It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. Those are good. Very spiritual. I think I'll try to write another Christmas song for language study or something. Cool huh? an italian Christmas song, missionary style...eh, we'll see.
---
Could you send me some aardvarks songs that are not too difficult to understand. We teach a woman English and she wants to teach her son. I told her aardvarks stuff would be good, maybe you could send ones that are a little slower paced so she can understand...she understand perfectly but it just can't be too fast. maybe lullabies.
I don't know, just a thought!
Also......I'm sorry, don't hate me for being needy!
I'm almost out of contacts. I'm on my last one for my left eye. They've lasted almost 8 months on a 3 month supply so that's pretty good right? Don't rush about it, It's not an emergency.
----
I'm sorry. This email isn't very spiritual BUT! I do have something good!
That talk that you sent me FOR TIMES OF TROUBLE by Elder Holland
I've read it maybe 4 times since I got it and I share it with everyone.
I've decided in order to fulfill my missionary purpose, I am going to follow some advice that I found in it this last time I read it.
He says
Immerse yourself in the scriptures
Pray and Fast with devotion and ...something
Serve others
Be patient
Have faith
...every day I'm going to just something work on doing those things. I think it will change my view of things, while keep an eternal view on it all.
good adivce from a wise leader of the Church of our Saviour!
----
all is good.
By far, this has been the most blessed, peaceful, spiritual Christmas and time as a missionary. I am a child of a living, active Heavenly Father. He sends His spirit to sustain me. He sent His perfect Son to live, die, and live for us all.
I know that Jesus Christ was a Perfect Son to a Perfect Father- I know that He can save us from our sins if we come unto Him. Our Perfect Example loves us and can heal us.
I know we are eternal. Miracles exist and happen every day. I am a witness of a living Father, a loving God. I am a representative of His Son, Jesus the Christ.
That's all I have to say.
I dont need to see Them to believe. I know. I know it.
I serve the Lord because I love Him. I repent and change because He has made that possible.
My heart strains because I can't fit all of the love I feel for Him in there! Ha ha!
I love my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I can never repay Him for all of the blessings and love and opportunity He has given me.
This is the time where I feel closest to Him. I hope you do, too.
Praise Him!
Merry Christmas to all!
I love you.
Sorella Carlock
Thirty-two: December 11, 2013 Genova
I don't even know where to start.
I read all of your email first and then I write back.
JERRY! WHAT IN THE WORLD!!!
I just can't even say anything. It's tooooo good. It's too right, you know?
It's just perfect.
Oh, Jerry, you have no idea! It's going to be great.
I...just don't have anything good! Ha ha
JUST KIDDING!
WE HAD A BAPTISM!
She is sweet.
It was an incredibly spiritual experience. I loved it!
-----
As I normally do, I got another transfer blessing and it ...as usual, was lovely and inspiring. I love blessings because you can tell where they come from and how much you are loved.
It helped me to remember that I still can change and that my change will always be appreciated- I want to not leave anything behind and I'm really trying to turn out. I want people to know how much I love them. I want them to feel God's love. My heart hurts to think of how much love there is to feel in the world. It's just like I want everyone to feel it and to know! Just know the truth!
I want to never be like Lot's wife because I didn't do enough. ya know? Weird example, sorry.
I sent something a few weeks ago from the Bible Dictionary about Faith....
an actual knowledge that you will receive salvation and enter the Kingdom, più o meno
I'm getting there. I am repenting every day and changing, I am doing good things.
I hope you all feel the guidance of the Holy Ghost in your lives.
I thought about something the other day. Of course I'm here to help others to come unto Christ, but also I am here to change my heart
And I was struggling with how difficult all of this CAN seem
I said ''look, I'm trying to change my whole life in a year and a half...give yourself a break.''
I'm serving a mission. I'm changing my life. I've been to the temple. I'm keeping my covenants. I am helping others make them. I see a brighter light and a greater future.
I would say I'm not doing too bad.
As I work to change myself, I am preparing myself to be a better missionary and teacher.
I only have 10 1/2 months left, if we're counting...and I'm not except for this exact moment, and I am going to make this year and a half last for a whole lifetime. I have so many goals for when I come home so that I don't lose a single piece of this time.
I want to be a powerful missionary like Alma.
Joseph, of whose lineage I am from, is one of the best examples of faith and I am going to be more like Him.
I am coming closer to my Saviour, I can feel His love. Being like Him is my ultimate goal. He is the light and the way!
I really want people to know what they are missing out on! HIS GREAT LOVE!
I love you all!
You are my inspiration. Our family is a great source of strength to me!
I'm sending a box....you have to wear what I send on Christmas ok? We can all be matching---
I'm sorry Tanney, I hope it's manly enough for you.
I hope you all like them-
I'll try to send that thing and a nativity and ALL ON TIME! I hope.
I love you!!!!!!! I love you all.
For Christmas, just be all on skype all day so I'll just call you when I'm ready. most likely from 10-1 your time!
ok?
make an account and send me the name so I can get ya!
love you
sorry that this email was kind of crazy and all mixed up
I love you
I love being a missionary
I love Jesus Christ
Sorella Carlock
:)
I read all of your email first and then I write back.
JERRY! WHAT IN THE WORLD!!!
I just can't even say anything. It's tooooo good. It's too right, you know?
It's just perfect.
Oh, Jerry, you have no idea! It's going to be great.
I...just don't have anything good! Ha ha
JUST KIDDING!
WE HAD A BAPTISM!
She is sweet.
It was an incredibly spiritual experience. I loved it!
-----
As I normally do, I got another transfer blessing and it ...as usual, was lovely and inspiring. I love blessings because you can tell where they come from and how much you are loved.
It helped me to remember that I still can change and that my change will always be appreciated- I want to not leave anything behind and I'm really trying to turn out. I want people to know how much I love them. I want them to feel God's love. My heart hurts to think of how much love there is to feel in the world. It's just like I want everyone to feel it and to know! Just know the truth!
I want to never be like Lot's wife because I didn't do enough. ya know? Weird example, sorry.
I sent something a few weeks ago from the Bible Dictionary about Faith....
an actual knowledge that you will receive salvation and enter the Kingdom, più o meno
I'm getting there. I am repenting every day and changing, I am doing good things.
I hope you all feel the guidance of the Holy Ghost in your lives.
I thought about something the other day. Of course I'm here to help others to come unto Christ, but also I am here to change my heart
And I was struggling with how difficult all of this CAN seem
I said ''look, I'm trying to change my whole life in a year and a half...give yourself a break.''
I'm serving a mission. I'm changing my life. I've been to the temple. I'm keeping my covenants. I am helping others make them. I see a brighter light and a greater future.
I would say I'm not doing too bad.
As I work to change myself, I am preparing myself to be a better missionary and teacher.
I only have 10 1/2 months left, if we're counting...and I'm not except for this exact moment, and I am going to make this year and a half last for a whole lifetime. I have so many goals for when I come home so that I don't lose a single piece of this time.
I want to be a powerful missionary like Alma.
Joseph, of whose lineage I am from, is one of the best examples of faith and I am going to be more like Him.
I am coming closer to my Saviour, I can feel His love. Being like Him is my ultimate goal. He is the light and the way!
I really want people to know what they are missing out on! HIS GREAT LOVE!
I love you all!
You are my inspiration. Our family is a great source of strength to me!
I'm sending a box....you have to wear what I send on Christmas ok? We can all be matching---
I'm sorry Tanney, I hope it's manly enough for you.
I hope you all like them-
I'll try to send that thing and a nativity and ALL ON TIME! I hope.
I love you!!!!!!! I love you all.
For Christmas, just be all on skype all day so I'll just call you when I'm ready. most likely from 10-1 your time!
ok?
make an account and send me the name so I can get ya!
love you
sorry that this email was kind of crazy and all mixed up
I love you
I love being a missionary
I love Jesus Christ
Sorella Carlock
:)
Thirty-one: December 4, 2013 Genova
Hello dear Family!
How are you all? How has the week been? Do you have any good stories to tell?
I have something cool...in 2 days, I will have been a missionary for 6 months! November 1st. Then only one more year and that's kind of scary- I wish it was longer. I'm excited to be contuining forward. I'm learning so much and experiencing so many different and great things.
ALSO!
Elder Texeira, our area 70, is coming to Milano next thursday and we're having a conference with him. That's going to be really exciting and enriching. I'm looking forward to that.
-----
I thought of something to share with you so that you can follow the apostles and Prophet together. I have a FHE activity.
Opening Song: Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd
Pray: to receive inspiration fro who is ready for the message of the restoration. pray to be the tool that will help them hear the truth.
Read: Put Your Trust in the Lord (Elder Russell M. Ballard) October 2013
Write: down your thoughts and promptings and a plan to follow the promptings.
Sing: Called to Serve
Pray: to have the courage to act on these promptings that you've received and that those people with accept with message before Christmas-
maybe it'll be helpful
------
Well there isn't much to tell this week.
It's raining a lot here. The seasons are changing again. I went from Milano where raining season had already begun and now I'm in Genova where it is beginning again.
soooo...I might have an ear infection.
Our fridge is broken, so we have to wait some time to get that fixed.
Our toilet seat isn't attached to the toilet
AND LIFE IS STILL SOOOOO GREAT! trials, man, they won't get me down. Ha ha, no but really, these things give us a good laugh.
I really enjoy being with Sorella O'Connor. We have a lot of fun together, and I am sure that we will be friends after. I like her and I appreciate her faith and insights. I hope we get to learn and grow together for a few more transfers. Maybe that's selfish, I don't know ha ha.
----
I hope you are all well, happy, and healthy. I hope you are warm too!
I wish I had taken more pictures but because we aren't allowed to take our cameras during the week, I don't. Today I'll take some good ones. I can send them next week.
Know that I love you all. I pray for you, and I hope you are being blessed.
I am a little sad I'm not there to see the leaves change! That's the best part of New Jersey. I realized something though. After years of being away for holidays and big events...we might not be together for Thanksgiving or Christmas this year, but we'll be together for both next year!
You still have to tell me how you want to work out coming to Italy. Do you want to come the summer after I get home or whenever the Rome temple is built, or do you want to come and get me (if that is still allowed).
Also I don't know if you have it at the house, but I would totally suggest reading ''Our Search for Happiness''. Elder Ballard explains the gospel so simply and clearly. I love it! I read it during ''free time'' aka during lunch and after nightly planning.
I love your studies of the scriptures and all the things you are learning.
I think for Halloween, I've decided I'm going to be....I don't have any ideas. Since I know you're all such big fans. What will you be? You should give out restoration pamphlets instead of candy. ma davvero! (translation: but, really)
Also for Christmas, if you send the box early or later it might be better for the office because they will be swamped. if you send it early, I won't open it. promise!
I try not spend a lot of money but I think the souvenirs I'd like to get are scarves and cool things specific to each city, that's really the best kind.
I'm sorry this email is so scatter-brained. It's been a weird week, but my time in Genova has been full of learning and growth and happiness....and probably waaayyy too much laughter. JK not possible.
I love you all...please write me. I love hearing from you!
Be good. Be safe. Be happy.
As Sorella O'Connor said.
''At the top of the hill, there is always a down slope''....never give up!
Love you!
Sorella Carlock
Ciao Carissimi!
Come state?
So it's pretty cold here in Genova. I'm so glad I have my long coat and sturdy rain boots. They are perfect! Thank you so much!
Everything is ok other than that. We'll be having a baptism this weekend. She's 9 and very sweet. The family asked us to teach her, they're members. I remember when the sisters taught me, I remember their little mostra. It was cool.
You mentioned something and so I will give you this reference
The Power of God's Love
John Groberg.
It's a really good talk!
I think you'd like it
-----
Well 21 days until Christmas! When do you want to Skype?? (Just asking to be prepared, we only have 2 maybe 3 more times to discuss it)
We are 6 hrs ahead of you all. We can skype in the morning on later around lunch. preferably before 1, because that would be about 7 here and it would be fairly late.
So anywhere from when you wake up to 1pm is good. We get about 30 minutes to skype so think of stuff you want to talk about now I guess and I'll work on my accent and stuff ha ha
---
Other than that, we have this really great activity coming up. We're going to the center of town and we're going to have a mostra (like a whiteboard demonstration) and we are going to carol and it's going to be great!!!
I've been studying a lot about Christmas and about Jesus in the Bible. I have been trying to really feel that CHRISTmas spirit and I'm getting there. I feel like I kind of lost that for a little bit and was going through the motions, but I know what I need to do now to become a true disciple of Christ.
I also have been trying to make a study plan about light.
In my patriarchal blessing and in a lot of your emails and a lot of the scriptures I've been reading, references to light have been made. I want to study it because I know the contrast between light and dark.
I have lived in darkness, but now I can stand in the light and enjoy. I am clean, worthy, and changing, and I want to study about how light affects others and how it can change people.
I think it will help me maintain the spirit of being a missionary .
----
There is this thing called ''a sacred missionary'' and our district leader reminded us about it. and it's really the kind of missionary and person I would like to be, I want to change and become better. I want to be ....(this is my favorite phrase) .....firm in the faith of Christ.
Like Captain Moroni!
I'm almost done with reading the Book of Mormon again.
I told Tanney this but I'm going to start doing ALL of my studies, everything, in Italian. I just want to do it all in Italian so that I can really really immerse myself in it. I only have 11 months left to really grasp all that I can from the language and the culture and this work AS A MISSIONARY (I can still speak and study after but its not the same), and I really want to get it all.
No more wasting any time. Every second is going to be taken. What more sacred time is there than missionary service.
---
I phrase came into my mind the other day
''celestial posture'' I remember you using it in a specific instance, but it's not just for the way we treat ourselves and others, it's who we believe that we are. How we carry ourselves in every activity, who we know that we can become. I like that. We are daughters and sons of a King, heirs to the kingdom.
Che speciale!
---
I started reading Jesus the Christ in Personal time after daily planning before bed, and during lunch. Right now I'm reading the sections about Christ's birth and Christmas. It's very special.
Sorella Pearce, who is one of our Sister Training Leaders that we live with, gave us a little activity. She is having us read chapters in the bible about Christmas and having us plan to do one thing each day to become more like Christ.
It's our gift to Him.
When Christmas has become something that is worldly, I urge you to remember that it is a celebration of the coming of our Lord and Saviour, that our gifts to each other should be gifts to Him. After all, when we serve the least of these, we serve Him as well.
What will your gift to Christ be this year?
Mine will be stronger faith and a more devoted heart. Mine will be repentance and a renewed commitment to service a mission in the Italy Milan Mission. He will be able to count on me.
What can we each give to each other this year that Christ would give to us if he were here? What can we give to Him?
----
I love you all very much
----
Genova is windy and cold now, but it is beautiful. Lights are up. You can feel a difference.
The Italians as well do Christmas at midnight I think.
I only say that because on my advent calendar (you know the calendar with chocolate inside for each day), there are only 24 days! WHAT! I'm missing one chocolate day! BTW.....I love Chocolate and Tomatoes now, thanks Italy.
Hot Chocolate here is different, It's thick. They make it wit the chocolate and milk, but then they add corn starch and it thickens. then you eat it with a spoon. It's kind of cool. I like it. you should try it.
Also I told you about Panettone and Pandoro. SONO BUONI!
It snowed in Milano the other day. A member emailed me and told me. I'm surprised! It hasnt snowed here in Genova but I'm really ok with that. the cold is enough for now.
All the old ladies are wearing their fur coats now. It's pretty cool if you ask me!
I dont know what else to tell you. Everything is cool. Italy is amazing. When we go to church, we walk by all of these designer stores. There is a Dolce and Gabbana close by. But thats normal because we're in Italy.
There are a lot of really beautiful people
Everyone is in style too. Sometimes its funny because I feel like everyone is in style, but the things that they wear are things that came out like in last year...but they wear it well so it's fine with me.
BTW I guess this is just the worldly part of the letter...ha!
what else??
Well....let's just say you are all going to have to get used to a few food traditions and behavior characteristics that I've definitely picked up. I'll probably be speaking half in Italian and English for the rest of my life.
BY THE WAY!!!
remember the word schivats... that ''gross''
the word is schiffo (skee-foh) ....it's used pretty much every day, everywhere. ha ha
hmmm what else?
I guess that's it.
---
My last admonition I guess is this:
love the scriptures
study them, get into them
make them become a part of your day
I have learned so much in the past 6 weeks from the scriptures.
I've decided I'm going to read the bible all the way through as a missionary. I know I can do it and I know it can help me.
I love you all. I'm sorry I didn't ask very many questions-
Let me know how you all are doing.
I love you and want to hear from you. It really helps me during the week,
Also if I can do something for you, let me know. I will do my best. a prayer, a letter, a scarf. a leather journal. let me know!
Please email me. Let me know when we can skype for Christmas.
Be happy. Follow Christ; love Him. WATCH THE BIBLE VIDEOS biblevideos.lds.org
I love you. ALL of you. Keep praying. Keep fighting the good fight!
My heart is close even though I am not. But my mind is here and I am happy.
This is the best decision of my whole life.
I will never regret it.
Sorella Carlock
How are you all? How has the week been? Do you have any good stories to tell?
I have something cool...in 2 days, I will have been a missionary for 6 months! November 1st. Then only one more year and that's kind of scary- I wish it was longer. I'm excited to be contuining forward. I'm learning so much and experiencing so many different and great things.
ALSO!
Elder Texeira, our area 70, is coming to Milano next thursday and we're having a conference with him. That's going to be really exciting and enriching. I'm looking forward to that.
-----
I thought of something to share with you so that you can follow the apostles and Prophet together. I have a FHE activity.
Opening Song: Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd
Pray: to receive inspiration fro who is ready for the message of the restoration. pray to be the tool that will help them hear the truth.
Read: Put Your Trust in the Lord (Elder Russell M. Ballard) October 2013
Write: down your thoughts and promptings and a plan to follow the promptings.
Sing: Called to Serve
Pray: to have the courage to act on these promptings that you've received and that those people with accept with message before Christmas-
maybe it'll be helpful
------
Well there isn't much to tell this week.
It's raining a lot here. The seasons are changing again. I went from Milano where raining season had already begun and now I'm in Genova where it is beginning again.
soooo...I might have an ear infection.
Our fridge is broken, so we have to wait some time to get that fixed.
Our toilet seat isn't attached to the toilet
AND LIFE IS STILL SOOOOO GREAT! trials, man, they won't get me down. Ha ha, no but really, these things give us a good laugh.
I really enjoy being with Sorella O'Connor. We have a lot of fun together, and I am sure that we will be friends after. I like her and I appreciate her faith and insights. I hope we get to learn and grow together for a few more transfers. Maybe that's selfish, I don't know ha ha.
----
I hope you are all well, happy, and healthy. I hope you are warm too!
I wish I had taken more pictures but because we aren't allowed to take our cameras during the week, I don't. Today I'll take some good ones. I can send them next week.
Know that I love you all. I pray for you, and I hope you are being blessed.
I am a little sad I'm not there to see the leaves change! That's the best part of New Jersey. I realized something though. After years of being away for holidays and big events...we might not be together for Thanksgiving or Christmas this year, but we'll be together for both next year!
You still have to tell me how you want to work out coming to Italy. Do you want to come the summer after I get home or whenever the Rome temple is built, or do you want to come and get me (if that is still allowed).
Also I don't know if you have it at the house, but I would totally suggest reading ''Our Search for Happiness''. Elder Ballard explains the gospel so simply and clearly. I love it! I read it during ''free time'' aka during lunch and after nightly planning.
I love your studies of the scriptures and all the things you are learning.
I think for Halloween, I've decided I'm going to be....I don't have any ideas. Since I know you're all such big fans. What will you be? You should give out restoration pamphlets instead of candy. ma davvero! (translation: but, really)
Also for Christmas, if you send the box early or later it might be better for the office because they will be swamped. if you send it early, I won't open it. promise!
I try not spend a lot of money but I think the souvenirs I'd like to get are scarves and cool things specific to each city, that's really the best kind.
I'm sorry this email is so scatter-brained. It's been a weird week, but my time in Genova has been full of learning and growth and happiness....and probably waaayyy too much laughter. JK not possible.
I love you all...please write me. I love hearing from you!
Be good. Be safe. Be happy.
As Sorella O'Connor said.
''At the top of the hill, there is always a down slope''....never give up!
Love you!
Sorella Carlock
Ciao Carissimi!
Come state?
So it's pretty cold here in Genova. I'm so glad I have my long coat and sturdy rain boots. They are perfect! Thank you so much!
Everything is ok other than that. We'll be having a baptism this weekend. She's 9 and very sweet. The family asked us to teach her, they're members. I remember when the sisters taught me, I remember their little mostra. It was cool.
You mentioned something and so I will give you this reference
The Power of God's Love
John Groberg.
It's a really good talk!
I think you'd like it
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Well 21 days until Christmas! When do you want to Skype?? (Just asking to be prepared, we only have 2 maybe 3 more times to discuss it)
We are 6 hrs ahead of you all. We can skype in the morning on later around lunch. preferably before 1, because that would be about 7 here and it would be fairly late.
So anywhere from when you wake up to 1pm is good. We get about 30 minutes to skype so think of stuff you want to talk about now I guess and I'll work on my accent and stuff ha ha
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Other than that, we have this really great activity coming up. We're going to the center of town and we're going to have a mostra (like a whiteboard demonstration) and we are going to carol and it's going to be great!!!
I've been studying a lot about Christmas and about Jesus in the Bible. I have been trying to really feel that CHRISTmas spirit and I'm getting there. I feel like I kind of lost that for a little bit and was going through the motions, but I know what I need to do now to become a true disciple of Christ.
I also have been trying to make a study plan about light.
In my patriarchal blessing and in a lot of your emails and a lot of the scriptures I've been reading, references to light have been made. I want to study it because I know the contrast between light and dark.
I have lived in darkness, but now I can stand in the light and enjoy. I am clean, worthy, and changing, and I want to study about how light affects others and how it can change people.
I think it will help me maintain the spirit of being a missionary .
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There is this thing called ''a sacred missionary'' and our district leader reminded us about it. and it's really the kind of missionary and person I would like to be, I want to change and become better. I want to be ....(this is my favorite phrase) .....firm in the faith of Christ.
Like Captain Moroni!
I'm almost done with reading the Book of Mormon again.
I told Tanney this but I'm going to start doing ALL of my studies, everything, in Italian. I just want to do it all in Italian so that I can really really immerse myself in it. I only have 11 months left to really grasp all that I can from the language and the culture and this work AS A MISSIONARY (I can still speak and study after but its not the same), and I really want to get it all.
No more wasting any time. Every second is going to be taken. What more sacred time is there than missionary service.
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I phrase came into my mind the other day
''celestial posture'' I remember you using it in a specific instance, but it's not just for the way we treat ourselves and others, it's who we believe that we are. How we carry ourselves in every activity, who we know that we can become. I like that. We are daughters and sons of a King, heirs to the kingdom.
Che speciale!
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I started reading Jesus the Christ in Personal time after daily planning before bed, and during lunch. Right now I'm reading the sections about Christ's birth and Christmas. It's very special.
Sorella Pearce, who is one of our Sister Training Leaders that we live with, gave us a little activity. She is having us read chapters in the bible about Christmas and having us plan to do one thing each day to become more like Christ.
It's our gift to Him.
When Christmas has become something that is worldly, I urge you to remember that it is a celebration of the coming of our Lord and Saviour, that our gifts to each other should be gifts to Him. After all, when we serve the least of these, we serve Him as well.
What will your gift to Christ be this year?
Mine will be stronger faith and a more devoted heart. Mine will be repentance and a renewed commitment to service a mission in the Italy Milan Mission. He will be able to count on me.
What can we each give to each other this year that Christ would give to us if he were here? What can we give to Him?
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I love you all very much
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Genova is windy and cold now, but it is beautiful. Lights are up. You can feel a difference.
The Italians as well do Christmas at midnight I think.
I only say that because on my advent calendar (you know the calendar with chocolate inside for each day), there are only 24 days! WHAT! I'm missing one chocolate day! BTW.....I love Chocolate and Tomatoes now, thanks Italy.
Hot Chocolate here is different, It's thick. They make it wit the chocolate and milk, but then they add corn starch and it thickens. then you eat it with a spoon. It's kind of cool. I like it. you should try it.
Also I told you about Panettone and Pandoro. SONO BUONI!
It snowed in Milano the other day. A member emailed me and told me. I'm surprised! It hasnt snowed here in Genova but I'm really ok with that. the cold is enough for now.
All the old ladies are wearing their fur coats now. It's pretty cool if you ask me!
I dont know what else to tell you. Everything is cool. Italy is amazing. When we go to church, we walk by all of these designer stores. There is a Dolce and Gabbana close by. But thats normal because we're in Italy.
There are a lot of really beautiful people
Everyone is in style too. Sometimes its funny because I feel like everyone is in style, but the things that they wear are things that came out like in last year...but they wear it well so it's fine with me.
BTW I guess this is just the worldly part of the letter...ha!
what else??
Well....let's just say you are all going to have to get used to a few food traditions and behavior characteristics that I've definitely picked up. I'll probably be speaking half in Italian and English for the rest of my life.
BY THE WAY!!!
remember the word schivats... that ''gross''
the word is schiffo (skee-foh) ....it's used pretty much every day, everywhere. ha ha
hmmm what else?
I guess that's it.
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My last admonition I guess is this:
love the scriptures
study them, get into them
make them become a part of your day
I have learned so much in the past 6 weeks from the scriptures.
I've decided I'm going to read the bible all the way through as a missionary. I know I can do it and I know it can help me.
I love you all. I'm sorry I didn't ask very many questions-
Let me know how you all are doing.
I love you and want to hear from you. It really helps me during the week,
Also if I can do something for you, let me know. I will do my best. a prayer, a letter, a scarf. a leather journal. let me know!
Please email me. Let me know when we can skype for Christmas.
Be happy. Follow Christ; love Him. WATCH THE BIBLE VIDEOS biblevideos.lds.org
I love you. ALL of you. Keep praying. Keep fighting the good fight!
My heart is close even though I am not. But my mind is here and I am happy.
This is the best decision of my whole life.
I will never regret it.
Sorella Carlock
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