Thank you so much for all of your emails and all of the nice things you said-
I had a good birthday
Thursday we had a July 3rd, 4th of July BBQ ha ha. All of the military people had off on the 4th so we did it a day early
Friday we had to buy new bikes because the other got stolen. But that was like a birthday present even though I wont be keeping it ha ha-
Saturday our Ward Mission Leader in the military ward and his wife to us out to SUSHI! and gelato. It was so fun.-
Sunday the Elders made us all lunch and then the Christensens (Maribel & David's) family made us dinner and a cake. They put my head in the cake ah ah. I'll send pictures.
It was just a good week. I feel good and I am happy that Heavenly Father has given us this life to live and the opportunity to serve in Italy for this 1 year of my life.
--
I'm trying to work on re-consecrating myself and really giving all that I can...even if its little compared to what I could have done before. I want to give my all and I plan on coming home feeling peace about leaving the mission field. I'm going to do it.
I am so glad you had a good time at Palmyra and I am really excited to hear about the Ramadan thing you went to. You didn't send pictures! Send some pictures! Ha ha.
Well, my companion is really helping me. We exercise a lot and we eat really well. I am exercising! WAHOO! Like almost every day. I feel good.-more tired, but good. She is so conscientious ...how do you spell that??? of being healthy and its nice. I'm not so committed yet but I'm doing well.
Did you know that trans fat is a fat that stays in your body and its harder to lose because its modified to have a long shelf life...peanut butter has trans fat. cookie mix has trans-fat. Stuff like that. We're trying to avoid that stuff. Anyway, I'm getting healthier and she is an answer to prayers. I prayed to find a way to create a healthy lifestyle now so that I could keep it up when I go home and I got Sorella Richards! Perfect no?
Anyway. Its been a great week. We have like 1 investigator who has decided to quit smoking and come to church. Doesn't want to commit to baptism but she quit smoking! 5 days now! WAHOO!
Other than that, we don't have any real investigators but we found a girl yesterday who was so sweet and seemed really interested.
---
Allora (thats an italian word for ''and now'' more or less. it means a million things to be honest), just wanted to say thank you for your fast and your prayers. They are working! I'm not perfectly healed...but I'd say pretty dang close. You are helping me get through and together we are doing this!
I love you all with my whole soul. I can't believe you are my family. How blessed am I? I love you and cherish you. Thank you. Thank you- thank you.
Be good. Keep emailing me. and send pictures!!!
Love you
Sorella Carlock
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Sixty-One: July 2, 2014 Vicenza
I'm getting old!
Thank you for all of the birthday wishes and for the sweet things that you said. Thanks for the song, Eva!
I really like my new companion, Sorella Richards. She's from a small town in Utah near Ogden and she is 20 years old. She's just very nice. She exercises and is really good about eating healthful foods so I've been exercising with her and trying to eat better. It's been nice. I feel better. I have been trying to exercise every morning and I am so grateful for her example. I've been struggling with my opinion of myself and how I look, and this is going to help me not have any reason to hate myself- I don't believe in being ''skinny''. I believe in being healthy. I want to be healthy and a safe weight- I've gained 20 pounds during the mission...oops! So we're going to turn that into something a little more healthy.
---
My companion and I are getting along and we had a really good talk the other day- We're going through similar spiritual struggles and we just talked about it and we were able to get to know each other better and I was able to feel the Spirit from something I said. I feel like I've had a hard time feeling the Spirit like I used to.
You know, when you're not a missionary, every spiritual prompting seems so clear. But I think sometimes because we live surrounded by it, its harder to determine the little things, the daily things. So that was a nice experience.
Well. I really am glad that you sent some money for my birthday. I prefer that because I want to keep italy with me and I can only get Italian stuff here, so its perfect. Thank you!
I love you all soo much.
Mommy, I hope classes aren't too boring and that you enjoy Ramadan.
Tanney, I am so proud of you and your NYC internship! Tanney the MANNEY!
Eva, I totally loved the song and I hope practices are going great!
Please keep emailing me. Give me all of the details!
I love you all so much- you are growing my testimony by YOUR faith in Heavenly Father and your faith in me! Thank you for not throwing me out with the bath water :) I love you 3 soooooo much.
I love you and miss you and sing in the shower all of the lullabies!
Vi amo così tanto
Non dimenticatevi quanto siete speciali!
Sorella Lopina, going strong....or at least going!
Thank you for all of the birthday wishes and for the sweet things that you said. Thanks for the song, Eva!
I really like my new companion, Sorella Richards. She's from a small town in Utah near Ogden and she is 20 years old. She's just very nice. She exercises and is really good about eating healthful foods so I've been exercising with her and trying to eat better. It's been nice. I feel better. I have been trying to exercise every morning and I am so grateful for her example. I've been struggling with my opinion of myself and how I look, and this is going to help me not have any reason to hate myself- I don't believe in being ''skinny''. I believe in being healthy. I want to be healthy and a safe weight- I've gained 20 pounds during the mission...oops! So we're going to turn that into something a little more healthy.
---
My companion and I are getting along and we had a really good talk the other day- We're going through similar spiritual struggles and we just talked about it and we were able to get to know each other better and I was able to feel the Spirit from something I said. I feel like I've had a hard time feeling the Spirit like I used to.
You know, when you're not a missionary, every spiritual prompting seems so clear. But I think sometimes because we live surrounded by it, its harder to determine the little things, the daily things. So that was a nice experience.
Well. I really am glad that you sent some money for my birthday. I prefer that because I want to keep italy with me and I can only get Italian stuff here, so its perfect. Thank you!
I love you all soo much.
Mommy, I hope classes aren't too boring and that you enjoy Ramadan.
Tanney, I am so proud of you and your NYC internship! Tanney the MANNEY!
Eva, I totally loved the song and I hope practices are going great!
Please keep emailing me. Give me all of the details!
I love you all so much- you are growing my testimony by YOUR faith in Heavenly Father and your faith in me! Thank you for not throwing me out with the bath water :) I love you 3 soooooo much.
I love you and miss you and sing in the shower all of the lullabies!
Vi amo così tanto
Non dimenticatevi quanto siete speciali!
Sorella Lopina, going strong....or at least going!
Sixty: June 25, 2014 Vicenza
Hello again, famiglia!
How are you??
Well, it has been raining like crazy!!!! these past few days. It even hailed last night and I think one of the ice balls bruised my arm....I stuck my arm out the window, probably not the best idea.
Well.....the baptism was beautiful and so spiritual! Everyone did their part and it was just lovely.
Children sang and there was a violin. Lovely.
The talks were in Spanish and I understand EVERYTHING!
When they were both baptized, we went to help Maribel dry off and she said the sweetest thing.
''Me siento de llorar. Me siento buonita'' I feel like crying. I feel so good.
and she just cried and I hugged her and she was all wet. She and David gave their testimonies too and they were sooo sweet.
They kept saying, ''I'm so grateful for the opportunity to learn more about God.'' They call us the Sorellas (soreyas) like a mix of spanish and italian. They said ''I'm grateful to the sorellas for helping me know a better life''. What's better than that?
Its been such an answer to prayers. I really want to see someone from beginning to end...teach all the way through til baptism and after and we did that! So special. Heavenly Father really blessed us. He is listening. I know that.
---
Sorella Warncke is being transferred to Muggiò, you remember the city Sorella Harward and I went to where we almost missed the train and we almost missed the permesso apptmnt because we got to the building 5 minutes before they stopped taking people? City of miracles! HA! That city helped me learn ''consider the lillies''. Its also the city that helped me love Italy more, the train-station-cafe-with-my-hot-chocolate-and-croissant city. Two of my companions have served there already. Its right outside of my old area in Milano. Sorella Warncke will be with someone from my MTC group who was actually trained by Sorella Harward. kind of funny!
Also...my new companion, Sorella Richards, was trained my Sorella Strong, my MTC companion. Weird! I'm way excited. She's going to be in her 4th transfer so she's pretty young still in the mission which is cool. It helps keep a fresh perspective.
----
We have been spending a lot of time doing service. A family, american family in the italian ward, is going back to Utah for their daughter's wedding and we have been helping them prepare and clean up/out their basement. We'll go back tomorrow again. Its been really great. You kind of forget everything when you're helping others.
I am soooo thankful for all of your support and help, it does really help!
Eva I made a staircase plan! wahoo!
Thank you Mommy for the Ebeneezer discussion
Tanney, thank you for helping me focus on the road...where ive come from, and where I still have to go.
I only have about 4 months left. Crazy. I thought it would be so different than it has been. Its been soooo beautiful. So worth it. Every second. I have really changed. Like a lot! And I still have work to do, duh! But I know I can get there. Thank you for patiently walking through this with me. This isn't just my accomplishment, this is our accomplishment. This is our missionary service. Thank you for doing this with me and for having a special fast day for me. Thank you. I love you. All 4 of you!!!
I can't wait to hug you all again. I can, but can't wait for that moment. Oh man, I'm going to cry like a newborn baby. Its going to be so great. This is by far, BY FAR, the hardest thing I have EVER done...ever. And its soo worth it. Its really, really hard. But it doesnt even matter. Heavenly Father's plan makes sense to Him and thats all that matters. He knows what He's doing with me. I'm going to be just a little bit shinier once He's through with me here and its going to be great.
I honestly think He's just trying to teach me how to rely on Him and trust Him, but also to , like you said Mommy, simply be there for Him when He needs me..I can't do that if I'm not ready. He's preparing me for the rest of my life.
Well...I hope its all uphill from here, but I know it wont be. Itll still be rough and I'll still have a hard time. But I can make it to August 8th and I think I can make it to October 31st. I'm sure going to try.
I really do appreciate all of your love and care. Thank you. I hope Heavenly Father is blessing you for this. I really do. I am praying every night that He does. Now in all your support for me, I hope YOU are all doing well. Do YOU need help? What can I do for you?
Let me know how everything is going
I love you all
Thank you
Sorella Lopo
How are you??
Well, it has been raining like crazy!!!! these past few days. It even hailed last night and I think one of the ice balls bruised my arm....I stuck my arm out the window, probably not the best idea.
Well.....the baptism was beautiful and so spiritual! Everyone did their part and it was just lovely.
Children sang and there was a violin. Lovely.
The talks were in Spanish and I understand EVERYTHING!
When they were both baptized, we went to help Maribel dry off and she said the sweetest thing.
''Me siento de llorar. Me siento buonita'' I feel like crying. I feel so good.
and she just cried and I hugged her and she was all wet. She and David gave their testimonies too and they were sooo sweet.
They kept saying, ''I'm so grateful for the opportunity to learn more about God.'' They call us the Sorellas (soreyas) like a mix of spanish and italian. They said ''I'm grateful to the sorellas for helping me know a better life''. What's better than that?
Its been such an answer to prayers. I really want to see someone from beginning to end...teach all the way through til baptism and after and we did that! So special. Heavenly Father really blessed us. He is listening. I know that.
---
Sorella Warncke is being transferred to Muggiò, you remember the city Sorella Harward and I went to where we almost missed the train and we almost missed the permesso apptmnt because we got to the building 5 minutes before they stopped taking people? City of miracles! HA! That city helped me learn ''consider the lillies''. Its also the city that helped me love Italy more, the train-station-cafe-with-my-hot-chocolate-and-croissant city. Two of my companions have served there already. Its right outside of my old area in Milano. Sorella Warncke will be with someone from my MTC group who was actually trained by Sorella Harward. kind of funny!
Also...my new companion, Sorella Richards, was trained my Sorella Strong, my MTC companion. Weird! I'm way excited. She's going to be in her 4th transfer so she's pretty young still in the mission which is cool. It helps keep a fresh perspective.
----
We have been spending a lot of time doing service. A family, american family in the italian ward, is going back to Utah for their daughter's wedding and we have been helping them prepare and clean up/out their basement. We'll go back tomorrow again. Its been really great. You kind of forget everything when you're helping others.
I am soooo thankful for all of your support and help, it does really help!
Eva I made a staircase plan! wahoo!
Thank you Mommy for the Ebeneezer discussion
Tanney, thank you for helping me focus on the road...where ive come from, and where I still have to go.
I only have about 4 months left. Crazy. I thought it would be so different than it has been. Its been soooo beautiful. So worth it. Every second. I have really changed. Like a lot! And I still have work to do, duh! But I know I can get there. Thank you for patiently walking through this with me. This isn't just my accomplishment, this is our accomplishment. This is our missionary service. Thank you for doing this with me and for having a special fast day for me. Thank you. I love you. All 4 of you!!!
I can't wait to hug you all again. I can, but can't wait for that moment. Oh man, I'm going to cry like a newborn baby. Its going to be so great. This is by far, BY FAR, the hardest thing I have EVER done...ever. And its soo worth it. Its really, really hard. But it doesnt even matter. Heavenly Father's plan makes sense to Him and thats all that matters. He knows what He's doing with me. I'm going to be just a little bit shinier once He's through with me here and its going to be great.
I honestly think He's just trying to teach me how to rely on Him and trust Him, but also to , like you said Mommy, simply be there for Him when He needs me..I can't do that if I'm not ready. He's preparing me for the rest of my life.
Well...I hope its all uphill from here, but I know it wont be. Itll still be rough and I'll still have a hard time. But I can make it to August 8th and I think I can make it to October 31st. I'm sure going to try.
I really do appreciate all of your love and care. Thank you. I hope Heavenly Father is blessing you for this. I really do. I am praying every night that He does. Now in all your support for me, I hope YOU are all doing well. Do YOU need help? What can I do for you?
Let me know how everything is going
I love you all
Thank you
Sorella Lopo
Fifty-nine: June 18, 2014 Vicenza
Hey family
How are you?
I got the package! Im wearing contacts right now!! WOW! Feels weird.
Thanks for the package of crayons ha ha. Ive already used a bunch of them. Thank you.
Thanks for the other good stuff. Ha ha. I cant tie the bracelet on and my companion cant help because of her wrist, so I don't have it on, but it'll get on there soon.
Well we had a Zone Conference yesterday in Bologna and it was really nice to see all of my friends and other missionaries. A lot of it was about being more obedient and not making lame excuses for breaking the rules.
The scambio with Sorella Strong was amazing. It was so nice to recall all of the wonderful experiences we had. I was able to see her shine and see the success that she has had, and all of her growth. We worked really well together I think and I am so glad Heavenly Father blessed me with her as a companion, and the opportunity to be with her again. It was great!
Maribel and David are getting baptized on Saturday! We are going to Mestre, which is the inland city around Venice. the chapel is beautiful. That is where Sorella Strong serves so Ill get to see her again.
I am so excited for them! They are great and they are really excited too. I can almost understand everything they say, which is nice. My speech is getting better. Its kind of nice because that is such a cool thing, that I can understand them and we can communicate. But the best part about them and teaching them is we dont even have to speak the same language, we can still communicate and feel the same things.
---
I know that Heavenly Father lives and loves me. I know that Jesus Christ suffered these pains, the pains of being without friends, the pains of sadness, the pains of defeat. Because He descended below them all, into the depths of despair and felt ALL that we have ever felt, He was given all of the joy there is that comes from victory and strength and endurance and love. He knows the joy because He felt the pain. I know He lives again and triumphed over death and sin. I, too, want to follow in His footsteps. I'm going to keep trying. I have to. I just have to. There is no other choice.
I love you all and I pray always that Heavenly Father will continue to bless you. I know He is and He will. I love you three with ALL of my heart. You bring me joy and hope. I love you!
Be good and keep going. Dont give up, right?
Sorella Lo
How are you?
I got the package! Im wearing contacts right now!! WOW! Feels weird.
Thanks for the package of crayons ha ha. Ive already used a bunch of them. Thank you.
Thanks for the other good stuff. Ha ha. I cant tie the bracelet on and my companion cant help because of her wrist, so I don't have it on, but it'll get on there soon.
Well we had a Zone Conference yesterday in Bologna and it was really nice to see all of my friends and other missionaries. A lot of it was about being more obedient and not making lame excuses for breaking the rules.
The scambio with Sorella Strong was amazing. It was so nice to recall all of the wonderful experiences we had. I was able to see her shine and see the success that she has had, and all of her growth. We worked really well together I think and I am so glad Heavenly Father blessed me with her as a companion, and the opportunity to be with her again. It was great!
Maribel and David are getting baptized on Saturday! We are going to Mestre, which is the inland city around Venice. the chapel is beautiful. That is where Sorella Strong serves so Ill get to see her again.
I am so excited for them! They are great and they are really excited too. I can almost understand everything they say, which is nice. My speech is getting better. Its kind of nice because that is such a cool thing, that I can understand them and we can communicate. But the best part about them and teaching them is we dont even have to speak the same language, we can still communicate and feel the same things.
---
I know that Heavenly Father lives and loves me. I know that Jesus Christ suffered these pains, the pains of being without friends, the pains of sadness, the pains of defeat. Because He descended below them all, into the depths of despair and felt ALL that we have ever felt, He was given all of the joy there is that comes from victory and strength and endurance and love. He knows the joy because He felt the pain. I know He lives again and triumphed over death and sin. I, too, want to follow in His footsteps. I'm going to keep trying. I have to. I just have to. There is no other choice.
I love you all and I pray always that Heavenly Father will continue to bless you. I know He is and He will. I love you three with ALL of my heart. You bring me joy and hope. I love you!
Be good and keep going. Dont give up, right?
Sorella Lo
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