Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Seventy: September 3, 2014 Bologna
Thank you all so much for your emails and your love. It really helps me push forward, even though right now I'm struggling with exhaustion. We are working so hard, but we just don't have a lot to do here. It's all either finding or member visits. We have no one that can see us, everyone is busy and there is a lot of empty space.
Eva, I love your blue hair! It looks cool! Remember to look at hairstyles for me when I come home. All for long hair, though, because I'm not cutting it again.
Tanney, I'm happy you got back to Utah safely after that huge delay. Sorry you had to sleep in the airport like a hobo. That's not fun- but you're back and safe now! Good!
Mommy, I'm sorry that you haven't heard anything about the job and that your other job has been having some little issues. That stinks. I'm still praying though!
Basically, I'm still in a weird spot. Just really pesante, ''heavy'', as the Italians say. A lot of weight on my shoulders and I've been feeling just that, really weighed down. I'm just spent of all my energy. I'm going to need a lot of sleep when I get home. I really am OK though -- I function just fine, I'm not like going to fall over dead at any point and I still have my sense of humor, but you know what I mean? sometimes I just feel a weight on me. I'm still trying to do my best and I continue to be obedient and diligent. I'm doing all right.
Thank you, Mommy, for your email. It really helped me. I think you must constantly have revelations for me and what you need to say. You have to because you always say the right thing. You're my mom, so you just get it. Thank you! I cried a little when I read the email and it felt kind of nice. You understood me and supported me while telling me I need to keep going. Thank you :) I'm happy...
I want you all to know that regardless of how I am feeling or what trials He gives us that I know that God's love is real. It is the power that moves everything, the power that created the earth and the heavens. It was the reason The Plan of Salvation was brought forth and it's the means for fulfilling its purpose. Through that love, we exist and we are known. I know Heavenly Father knows me personally and I know Him, too, through prayer. He is our Father in a very literal sense and He wants us to know Him. He loves us so much that He sent His Son to atone, to erase, to eliminate all pain and sorrow and suffering. He has made me clean and I am alive in Him. I love my Saviour for His merciful sacrifice and I praise my Father for His merciful plan. I've learned to "consider the lillies" and that our Heavenly Father is merciful towards us, His children. He made a plan in which He asked us to have faith in Him and that then, if we believe and follow Him, He will extend many blessings and we will feel His love more fully.
I feel His love. I follow Him and I love Him with my whole heart. I know He loves me because He shows me His love each day in all of the various things we do and see and feel. I try to live each day to feel that love and to earn my place in Heaven with Him. I know this is possible and that the promise is real. I feel it with my whole soul and I know, that even when the days seem too hard to overcome, He is helping me make steps forward toward Him. I want you to know that I know these things. I know you to know them, too. Remember who you are! Remember God's love. Search to feel it everyday. I know He waits for each of us, with arms wide open, to greet us: ''welcome home." I long for that day and for the peace that I will feel then. That gives me hope to overcome anything!
I hope you feel of my love for you, because I love you with everything that I am. I pray for you and have hope in the answers to those prayers. Please don't ever give up. Ever. There is always hope. I love you. I love you. I love you.
Sorella Carlock
Eva, I love your blue hair! It looks cool! Remember to look at hairstyles for me when I come home. All for long hair, though, because I'm not cutting it again.
Tanney, I'm happy you got back to Utah safely after that huge delay. Sorry you had to sleep in the airport like a hobo. That's not fun- but you're back and safe now! Good!
Mommy, I'm sorry that you haven't heard anything about the job and that your other job has been having some little issues. That stinks. I'm still praying though!
Basically, I'm still in a weird spot. Just really pesante, ''heavy'', as the Italians say. A lot of weight on my shoulders and I've been feeling just that, really weighed down. I'm just spent of all my energy. I'm going to need a lot of sleep when I get home. I really am OK though -- I function just fine, I'm not like going to fall over dead at any point and I still have my sense of humor, but you know what I mean? sometimes I just feel a weight on me. I'm still trying to do my best and I continue to be obedient and diligent. I'm doing all right.
Thank you, Mommy, for your email. It really helped me. I think you must constantly have revelations for me and what you need to say. You have to because you always say the right thing. You're my mom, so you just get it. Thank you! I cried a little when I read the email and it felt kind of nice. You understood me and supported me while telling me I need to keep going. Thank you :) I'm happy...
I want you all to know that regardless of how I am feeling or what trials He gives us that I know that God's love is real. It is the power that moves everything, the power that created the earth and the heavens. It was the reason The Plan of Salvation was brought forth and it's the means for fulfilling its purpose. Through that love, we exist and we are known. I know Heavenly Father knows me personally and I know Him, too, through prayer. He is our Father in a very literal sense and He wants us to know Him. He loves us so much that He sent His Son to atone, to erase, to eliminate all pain and sorrow and suffering. He has made me clean and I am alive in Him. I love my Saviour for His merciful sacrifice and I praise my Father for His merciful plan. I've learned to "consider the lillies" and that our Heavenly Father is merciful towards us, His children. He made a plan in which He asked us to have faith in Him and that then, if we believe and follow Him, He will extend many blessings and we will feel His love more fully.
I feel His love. I follow Him and I love Him with my whole heart. I know He loves me because He shows me His love each day in all of the various things we do and see and feel. I try to live each day to feel that love and to earn my place in Heaven with Him. I know this is possible and that the promise is real. I feel it with my whole soul and I know, that even when the days seem too hard to overcome, He is helping me make steps forward toward Him. I want you to know that I know these things. I know you to know them, too. Remember who you are! Remember God's love. Search to feel it everyday. I know He waits for each of us, with arms wide open, to greet us: ''welcome home." I long for that day and for the peace that I will feel then. That gives me hope to overcome anything!
I hope you feel of my love for you, because I love you with everything that I am. I pray for you and have hope in the answers to those prayers. Please don't ever give up. Ever. There is always hope. I love you. I love you. I love you.
Sorella Carlock
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Sixty-nine: August 27, 2014 Bologna
I'm sorry, in advance, for my email this week. I'm kind of in a giant, mumble jumble of emotions. So, I'll just explain how the week went.
President, at the new missionary training, gave all of the new missionaries and their trainers the challenge to teach 21 lessons in their first full week -- this last week. We accepted the challenge and got to work. It was a week of complete finding. Really tiring, but really great, too.
We got to Saturday and we had only 13 lessons, 8 lessons left in one day seemed pretty impossible.
In church on Sunday, we taught Gospel Principles. At church, we had about 5 lessons. On the way home for lunch, 1 more lesson. Just 2 more.
We went home and had lunch. I was having trouble feeling the Spirit or feeling comfortable in the house, so we tidied up a bit and everything felt much more peaceful. We went back out, 2 lessons to go. Easy right? Yeah, no.
A lesson consists of teaching a principle like the Restoration and saying 2 prayers. NO ONE WOULD PRAY WITH US! They'd talk to us and listen, but no one would pray. It was about 8:30pm and we had 1 more lesson to give. 1 down with about 30 min - 1 hr to go. 9:15 came around on Sunday night, and we had our last lesson. 21 lessons. Real finding, guided by the Spirit. Diligence, pushing ourselves, and real progress. Our week was pretty great if you ask me.
We did it. We did what was asked of us and we now have a more solid testimony of the power of prayer and the power of our faith.
---
It is so great to hear about all of the thing you have been doing. You are all doing so much and things have changed. Very cool! And you applied for that job right in time! How cool is that? With the buildings close together, It would be perfect! I hope you get it! Mom, I am excited about this new job possibility. I think it'll be great. I'll pray! Let me know how it goes. I guess you're both getting all ready for school and everything. How weird! But, I'm sure it's nice to have something to do.
I'm kind of in a really weird spot. So close and really far. I'm supposed to be focused, but everyone keeps talking about me coming home and I need to think about it enough to mentally prepare, but I'm trying not to get distracted.
Other than that, I'm well. I'm exercising every day and we're trying to be healthy. We are trying to be as diligent as possible, which I'm not really sure what that means and where the line is for how much one can physically do, but I'm trying to push that line. We are pretty much building this area up from nothing, so it's definitely tough work. We're doing OK though.
We still are trying to figure out how to get around this city and how the bus system works. It's a lot more involved than it seems.
I'm really trying to be a good trainer. I dont know how well I'm doing and I don't know if I'm who I need to be for Sorella Stott, but I'm trying. I want to give her a good basis for the mission and to help her rely on this time to know what to do when things get hard. I want her to be able to depend on me, as a companion and as a friend.
Mission life is hard sometimes; in fact, I didn't really understand how hard it would be. I don't think anyone does though, but I'm doing ok for now. Right now, I'd say I'm sitting pretty. Especially compared to what it's been like in the past. I wouldn't trade this precious and sacred year and a half for anything. This is so much more than I would have ever been able to imagine. Heavenly Father has fulfilled all of my hopes for myself and continues to fulfill my dreams and hopes for you all and for our family.
I pray every night that you will be blessed because of the things I am doing here, and I hope you are being blessed.
Please know that I love you. In large part, I am doing this for you all so that I might be more of a help in our family, more of a builder of faith than a prodigal son. Thank you for your love and your patience. This week, I have a full, grateful heart. Words don't express. Thank you. I love you with everything that I am. As we say in Italian, non vedo l'ora di vedervi di nuovo. I don't see the hour to see you again. (it's like saying I cant wait, but that's not right because I can, I just don't see the hour, but it'll be great when it happens.)
I'm finishing strong. I can feel it. And it feels great. Hard, but great.
I love you all ;)
Sorella Carlock
President, at the new missionary training, gave all of the new missionaries and their trainers the challenge to teach 21 lessons in their first full week -- this last week. We accepted the challenge and got to work. It was a week of complete finding. Really tiring, but really great, too.
We got to Saturday and we had only 13 lessons, 8 lessons left in one day seemed pretty impossible.
In church on Sunday, we taught Gospel Principles. At church, we had about 5 lessons. On the way home for lunch, 1 more lesson. Just 2 more.
We went home and had lunch. I was having trouble feeling the Spirit or feeling comfortable in the house, so we tidied up a bit and everything felt much more peaceful. We went back out, 2 lessons to go. Easy right? Yeah, no.
A lesson consists of teaching a principle like the Restoration and saying 2 prayers. NO ONE WOULD PRAY WITH US! They'd talk to us and listen, but no one would pray. It was about 8:30pm and we had 1 more lesson to give. 1 down with about 30 min - 1 hr to go. 9:15 came around on Sunday night, and we had our last lesson. 21 lessons. Real finding, guided by the Spirit. Diligence, pushing ourselves, and real progress. Our week was pretty great if you ask me.
We did it. We did what was asked of us and we now have a more solid testimony of the power of prayer and the power of our faith.
---
It is so great to hear about all of the thing you have been doing. You are all doing so much and things have changed. Very cool! And you applied for that job right in time! How cool is that? With the buildings close together, It would be perfect! I hope you get it! Mom, I am excited about this new job possibility. I think it'll be great. I'll pray! Let me know how it goes. I guess you're both getting all ready for school and everything. How weird! But, I'm sure it's nice to have something to do.
I'm kind of in a really weird spot. So close and really far. I'm supposed to be focused, but everyone keeps talking about me coming home and I need to think about it enough to mentally prepare, but I'm trying not to get distracted.
Other than that, I'm well. I'm exercising every day and we're trying to be healthy. We are trying to be as diligent as possible, which I'm not really sure what that means and where the line is for how much one can physically do, but I'm trying to push that line. We are pretty much building this area up from nothing, so it's definitely tough work. We're doing OK though.
We still are trying to figure out how to get around this city and how the bus system works. It's a lot more involved than it seems.
I'm really trying to be a good trainer. I dont know how well I'm doing and I don't know if I'm who I need to be for Sorella Stott, but I'm trying. I want to give her a good basis for the mission and to help her rely on this time to know what to do when things get hard. I want her to be able to depend on me, as a companion and as a friend.
Mission life is hard sometimes; in fact, I didn't really understand how hard it would be. I don't think anyone does though, but I'm doing ok for now. Right now, I'd say I'm sitting pretty. Especially compared to what it's been like in the past. I wouldn't trade this precious and sacred year and a half for anything. This is so much more than I would have ever been able to imagine. Heavenly Father has fulfilled all of my hopes for myself and continues to fulfill my dreams and hopes for you all and for our family.
I pray every night that you will be blessed because of the things I am doing here, and I hope you are being blessed.
Please know that I love you. In large part, I am doing this for you all so that I might be more of a help in our family, more of a builder of faith than a prodigal son. Thank you for your love and your patience. This week, I have a full, grateful heart. Words don't express. Thank you. I love you with everything that I am. As we say in Italian, non vedo l'ora di vedervi di nuovo. I don't see the hour to see you again. (it's like saying I cant wait, but that's not right because I can, I just don't see the hour, but it'll be great when it happens.)
I'm finishing strong. I can feel it. And it feels great. Hard, but great.
I love you all ;)
Sorella Carlock
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Sixty-eight: August 20, 2014 Bologna
Come butta??
That is slang for ''whats up''
Good stuff is happening!! Good stuff.
It hit me the other day that I have only 11 weeks left...aka 2 1/2 months. It only hit me because another sorella in my group said something, I'm not really thinking about it at all. I think about my future....like at minimum a year from now, but I don't think about going home. I do think about hugging you all...that's about it. Well anyway, it was a weird thought because it hurt so much. The idea of not doing this for the rest of my life, full-time, kinda stinks! This is the life, real life, how we should all be living...out of the world, sacrificing time and effort to spread the word of God...although I could do with a nap sometimes and maybe wearing pants...yeah or not...skirts are fine.
But anyway, I say that because the thought was so foreign and it like didn't make sense to think about going home...especially in a positive way. I like what I'm doing here.
Sorella Stott and I have found 3 new investigators in our time together and that's including the week in August where EVERYONE GOES SOUTH...why? Migration, I don't know. But August makes North Italy a ghost town and we still found people with honest hearts. In fact, we set a baptismal date with a filipina today! October 11th, dad's birthday! She's going to make it. She is so ready and we felt the Spirit strongly in that lesson. I believe she can do it! We all do.
Speaking of baptisms, Virginia was baptized yesterday!!!! She is our investigator from Vicenza, mamma mia. She is so brava. She solidified my testimony that people can change! She completely!!!!! completely changed her life. I got to call her and wish her a happy day and it was nice. She thanked me...but I don't get why, I really don't. She did it all.
Basically, we are doing a lot of finding work....all day, every day...and its hard but we are enjoying it. We're finding the people that are ready and that's a lot better than having people that don't want to change. We're seeing the Lord's hand in our lives. So great.
Sorella Stott and I are doing well together I think. She's funny. I think sometimes she gets frustrated and I hope I'm not doing anything to make her feel bad. I know I was always frustrated at the beginning so she seems to be handling everything a lot better than I did. But I think she's doing so well. She is a hard worker, and she learns very quickly. I'm really glad she is my companion. She's very obedient too and she loves finding which makes me love it more...oh hey, I love finding now! I'M A FINDING MISSIONARY...what a miracle that is.
See? I just needed trials to be prepared for the blessing.
Mom I am so glad saying that helped you. Its really true. Ive seen that so much here. I don't get the blessing until I am humble and patient...its not when I say ''whatever, I don't care anymore'', it comes when I say ''Ok, patience, I can wait. His time'' Then it comes and it is great!
Thank you for your love and your prayers. I feel them. I hope you feel mine. I'm working hard here in hope that Heavenly Father has mercy on you all and gives you the things that you ask Him for. Please know that I love you and am so proud of all you are doing. You are amazing examples to me and I love you with my whole heart.
I know God lives and He loves us, more than we can imagine or take in. He is there. He is our Father! He wants to hear from you.
I love you. Be good.
Sorella Carlock
That is slang for ''whats up''
Good stuff is happening!! Good stuff.
It hit me the other day that I have only 11 weeks left...aka 2 1/2 months. It only hit me because another sorella in my group said something, I'm not really thinking about it at all. I think about my future....like at minimum a year from now, but I don't think about going home. I do think about hugging you all...that's about it. Well anyway, it was a weird thought because it hurt so much. The idea of not doing this for the rest of my life, full-time, kinda stinks! This is the life, real life, how we should all be living...out of the world, sacrificing time and effort to spread the word of God...although I could do with a nap sometimes and maybe wearing pants...yeah or not...skirts are fine.
But anyway, I say that because the thought was so foreign and it like didn't make sense to think about going home...especially in a positive way. I like what I'm doing here.
Sorella Stott and I have found 3 new investigators in our time together and that's including the week in August where EVERYONE GOES SOUTH...why? Migration, I don't know. But August makes North Italy a ghost town and we still found people with honest hearts. In fact, we set a baptismal date with a filipina today! October 11th, dad's birthday! She's going to make it. She is so ready and we felt the Spirit strongly in that lesson. I believe she can do it! We all do.
Speaking of baptisms, Virginia was baptized yesterday!!!! She is our investigator from Vicenza, mamma mia. She is so brava. She solidified my testimony that people can change! She completely!!!!! completely changed her life. I got to call her and wish her a happy day and it was nice. She thanked me...but I don't get why, I really don't. She did it all.
Basically, we are doing a lot of finding work....all day, every day...and its hard but we are enjoying it. We're finding the people that are ready and that's a lot better than having people that don't want to change. We're seeing the Lord's hand in our lives. So great.
Sorella Stott and I are doing well together I think. She's funny. I think sometimes she gets frustrated and I hope I'm not doing anything to make her feel bad. I know I was always frustrated at the beginning so she seems to be handling everything a lot better than I did. But I think she's doing so well. She is a hard worker, and she learns very quickly. I'm really glad she is my companion. She's very obedient too and she loves finding which makes me love it more...oh hey, I love finding now! I'M A FINDING MISSIONARY...what a miracle that is.
See? I just needed trials to be prepared for the blessing.
Mom I am so glad saying that helped you. Its really true. Ive seen that so much here. I don't get the blessing until I am humble and patient...its not when I say ''whatever, I don't care anymore'', it comes when I say ''Ok, patience, I can wait. His time'' Then it comes and it is great!
Thank you for your love and your prayers. I feel them. I hope you feel mine. I'm working hard here in hope that Heavenly Father has mercy on you all and gives you the things that you ask Him for. Please know that I love you and am so proud of all you are doing. You are amazing examples to me and I love you with my whole heart.
I know God lives and He loves us, more than we can imagine or take in. He is there. He is our Father! He wants to hear from you.
I love you. Be good.
Sorella Carlock
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Sixty-seven: August 13, 2014 Bologna
This has been a pretty awesome week! Just saying!
It started out with a lot of nerves. From Saturday to Thursday, after I met my new companion, I was all butterflies and stomach churns. I didn't sleep. No joke. I kept waking up and tossing. I was sooo nervous.
Thursday morning we woke up at 4:45 to get to the train station for a 6:25 train. We got to Milano, and another sorella and I went to the church to meet with President before we met the new missionaries. He said some amazing things. He said that the missionaries were already praying for us and that they have such a strong spirit. It is so true.
After a while, they all walked into the room. We "old timers got sooo excited. President had them recite something, and then we trainers got up and recited to them D&C 4. It was such an enriching moment because we were saying, directly to new missionaries, (I can't fully remember it in English) ''Behold a marvelous is about to come forth among the children of men...all ye that desire to serve God are called to the work.'' Just a beautiful moment, and a great reflection for us on our purpose as trainers and how we need to help them.
We all stood up, and the trainers were called up to announce who they would be assigned to as companions. I went 5th out of 12 sisters.
''Hi, I'm Sorella Carlock, and we're going to be serving in Bologna. I've never been there, but I've heard the members are great. Be prepared, because we're going to work hard!''
My companion's name is Sorella Stott. SHE IS AMAZING! She's from Twin Falls, Idaho and she's only 19! I feel really old. She's beautiful, beautiful! And so kind. When I saw here, I was just like ''come here you!'' Ha, ha.
She's also really tall...sooooo yeah ha ha. I'm short, I know.
We started right away by talking to people on the way home and by testifying. She did so great. We talked to 2 women on the train, and then we split and we each talked to one. She explained the Book of Mormon perfectly. I was impressed.
We're having a good time here in Bologna. I'm still in the same zone as Vicenza, so that's cool, but it's a different region of Italy, so it's a different culture. Its beautiful, and active, and Bolognese sauce comes from here -- ovvio!!! :)
We're doing well. I feel motivated and more committed. I felt committed before, but now I just feel so light and not so heavy. I feel like the Lord will help us do anything.
I love Sorella Stott because she bears POWERFUL testimony, and I am seeing the mission with new eyes. Man, I love this place. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! It's never going to end, right? Ha ha. I wouldn't rather be anywhere else but here with my companion. It just shows you. Heavenly Father really knows...and CARES! Not just as if He knows what we need and witholds it. NO, He WANTS to bless us....BUT we need to be ready first. We need to be prepared for the blessings and sometimes that means some trials and hardships. Clever. Very smart.
We're trying to figure out the city together. It's been ok so far...we've wandered around some and I imagine that could be frustrating, but I haven't heard any complaints...Sorella Stott is all positivity. She's trying to talk to people and we do a lot of Italian ''prep'' for finding.
In the beginning of my mission, I remember not feeling like I could say anything, so I didn't want to try. I don't want that for her. We have been writing out little phrases and questions so that she can open her mouth and invite the Spirit (D&C 100: 5-8). She's such a good sport. Ive also been helping her write out what she wants to say in lessons, because I feel that her being comfortable is more important than having something memorized. She needs to feel at ease and the the Spirit will come. I want her to know that she can do it, so we're trying to prepare more fully for lessons. She does really well with Italian though. She's pretty solid.
Well, I don't have much else to say. I love it here. ALL UP! Except I'm exhausted. Everything else, even that, is wonderful. It's a part of the missionary life. Well...I guess one thing is bad. Our ankles are swelling...like last year, remember? ha ha. Any help??
Also, if you can think of some good, simple exercises that I can do, any help would be appreciated!!
I love you all.
I think moving to the beach would be perfect, Mommy. You go for it, girl!!! You do what you want! I love you. Thank you for always thinking of me and wanting me around even if I can't be. Thank you for loving me.
Eva, you're so dang cute!! SOOOOOO CUTE! Thank you for your testimony story.
Tanner, I love you and am so proud of you. I think of your example always and try to follow your footsteps. You make it all seem possible. Thank you!
Favor for the week (because there always seems to be something I ask of you): Can you apply for classes for me?? The due date is the 24th of August and I really want to get that done. Please sign me up....I trust your judgment. I gave some suggestions. Just go for it :)
I love you all. I pray for you. I miss you just enough to want to stay here and send some blessings your way. I'll have some gelato in your honor :)
LOVE YOU FOREVER :)
Sorella Lo Carlock
It started out with a lot of nerves. From Saturday to Thursday, after I met my new companion, I was all butterflies and stomach churns. I didn't sleep. No joke. I kept waking up and tossing. I was sooo nervous.
Thursday morning we woke up at 4:45 to get to the train station for a 6:25 train. We got to Milano, and another sorella and I went to the church to meet with President before we met the new missionaries. He said some amazing things. He said that the missionaries were already praying for us and that they have such a strong spirit. It is so true.
After a while, they all walked into the room. We "old timers got sooo excited. President had them recite something, and then we trainers got up and recited to them D&C 4. It was such an enriching moment because we were saying, directly to new missionaries, (I can't fully remember it in English) ''Behold a marvelous is about to come forth among the children of men...all ye that desire to serve God are called to the work.'' Just a beautiful moment, and a great reflection for us on our purpose as trainers and how we need to help them.
We all stood up, and the trainers were called up to announce who they would be assigned to as companions. I went 5th out of 12 sisters.
''Hi, I'm Sorella Carlock, and we're going to be serving in Bologna. I've never been there, but I've heard the members are great. Be prepared, because we're going to work hard!''
My companion's name is Sorella Stott. SHE IS AMAZING! She's from Twin Falls, Idaho and she's only 19! I feel really old. She's beautiful, beautiful! And so kind. When I saw here, I was just like ''come here you!'' Ha, ha.
She's also really tall...sooooo yeah ha ha. I'm short, I know.
We started right away by talking to people on the way home and by testifying. She did so great. We talked to 2 women on the train, and then we split and we each talked to one. She explained the Book of Mormon perfectly. I was impressed.
We're having a good time here in Bologna. I'm still in the same zone as Vicenza, so that's cool, but it's a different region of Italy, so it's a different culture. Its beautiful, and active, and Bolognese sauce comes from here -- ovvio!!! :)
We're doing well. I feel motivated and more committed. I felt committed before, but now I just feel so light and not so heavy. I feel like the Lord will help us do anything.
I love Sorella Stott because she bears POWERFUL testimony, and I am seeing the mission with new eyes. Man, I love this place. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! It's never going to end, right? Ha ha. I wouldn't rather be anywhere else but here with my companion. It just shows you. Heavenly Father really knows...and CARES! Not just as if He knows what we need and witholds it. NO, He WANTS to bless us....BUT we need to be ready first. We need to be prepared for the blessings and sometimes that means some trials and hardships. Clever. Very smart.
We're trying to figure out the city together. It's been ok so far...we've wandered around some and I imagine that could be frustrating, but I haven't heard any complaints...Sorella Stott is all positivity. She's trying to talk to people and we do a lot of Italian ''prep'' for finding.
In the beginning of my mission, I remember not feeling like I could say anything, so I didn't want to try. I don't want that for her. We have been writing out little phrases and questions so that she can open her mouth and invite the Spirit (D&C 100: 5-8). She's such a good sport. Ive also been helping her write out what she wants to say in lessons, because I feel that her being comfortable is more important than having something memorized. She needs to feel at ease and the the Spirit will come. I want her to know that she can do it, so we're trying to prepare more fully for lessons. She does really well with Italian though. She's pretty solid.
Well, I don't have much else to say. I love it here. ALL UP! Except I'm exhausted. Everything else, even that, is wonderful. It's a part of the missionary life. Well...I guess one thing is bad. Our ankles are swelling...like last year, remember? ha ha. Any help??
Also, if you can think of some good, simple exercises that I can do, any help would be appreciated!!
I love you all.
I think moving to the beach would be perfect, Mommy. You go for it, girl!!! You do what you want! I love you. Thank you for always thinking of me and wanting me around even if I can't be. Thank you for loving me.
Eva, you're so dang cute!! SOOOOOO CUTE! Thank you for your testimony story.
Tanner, I love you and am so proud of you. I think of your example always and try to follow your footsteps. You make it all seem possible. Thank you!
Favor for the week (because there always seems to be something I ask of you): Can you apply for classes for me?? The due date is the 24th of August and I really want to get that done. Please sign me up....I trust your judgment. I gave some suggestions. Just go for it :)
I love you all. I pray for you. I miss you just enough to want to stay here and send some blessings your way. I'll have some gelato in your honor :)
LOVE YOU FOREVER :)
Sorella Lo Carlock
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Sixty-six: August 6, 2014 Vicenza
Well, transfers are this week....I'm leaving Vicenza. Im really sad. Sorella Richards and I are splitting up, too. I really love her a lot and I am so glad I had this time with her. I know we're going to be friends after this.
That's not the big news though....President called me on Saturday and told me that I'm going to be training a new missionary. I'M TRAINING! I am so shocked and surprised. I am really nervous and sooo so so excited. I think it'll be such a great opportunity for me. It'll help me stay focused and keep me on my toes. WOOHOO!
Well, that's pretty much all of the news I have for this week really.
Its been the longest 5 days of my life. We said goodbye to everyone we visit and it was just amazing...too many tears though! I guess another thing is that they are taking sisters out of Vicenza...so this will now be the second time I leave a city and they take sisters out and the third time they close my coppia. Not really sure how to think or feel about that, so I'm not thinking or feeling too much...ha ha! Heavenly Father knows what he is doing!!! MENO MALE! I trust Him.
Im really sad that Sorella Richards and I are splitting, but I think we've built a really solid friendship and we'll be friends after the mission, too. Not to worry! :)
---
Thank you so much to everyone for all of the pictures and emails. I had 40 emails when I opened my box today!!! WOW! Ha ha. Mostly pictures...WHICH IS AWESOME. You have no idea how special a picture is here. Thank you! Thank you for updating me on future plans and family events. I really love hearing about all of this stuff.
Tanney, I am so amazed at all of the wonderful things you are planning. It sounds like a lovely day. ;) You are doing amazing things. You set such a wonderful example to me and everyone around you. You are teaching me so much about diligence and hard work.
Eva, you are such a great teacher and leader....you're really growing a lot. I am thoroughly and pleasantly not surprised :) You're just amazing. Recognize your Worth!!! You are going to be a great missionary...WOW!
Mommy, how do you feel now that school is over?? Are you getting enough time to relax? Thank you so much for all of your support. I love PDay because your emails Always uplift me and make me feel so good about who I am and what I'm doing....and how far I've come.
----
Mommy, I think your World Languages idea is awesome. Is there any way we could figure something out to where I could start with online classes that can transfer to SVU?? I want to still follow the law school thing for now, and work towards something like Social Services. But, I want to do languages, too. WHY NOT??? GREAT IDEA. 10 points to MOMMY!
Well I have 3 months left. I hope when I count down you don't think its because I'm jumping out of my skin to come home. To me, its more of a way to track progress....to tell myself I can do this. Ebeneezers, no? 15 months down! WOW! I never would've guessed, EVER, that I could have made it here...Just think...2 years ago, I was going in a completely different direction...sort of. I certainly wasn't preparing properly...now look at me! Can't you see the bags under my eyes, IM OLD! Ha ha, I'm an old missionary, and I couldn't be more proud...except pride is a sin ;) :) Just know that I am doing great! I am happy. I am loving Italy!
I am so happy and so committed to being here. We have already had 7 lessons this week and we'll have 2 more today. Still working hard. And I'm going to be working even harder. This last few months and these transfers with the new sorella are going to be full of miracles and change. Get ready for some great stories!!
I love you all with my whole heart.
I pray for you every night
BE GOOD!!!!
That's not the big news though....President called me on Saturday and told me that I'm going to be training a new missionary. I'M TRAINING! I am so shocked and surprised. I am really nervous and sooo so so excited. I think it'll be such a great opportunity for me. It'll help me stay focused and keep me on my toes. WOOHOO!
Well, that's pretty much all of the news I have for this week really.
Its been the longest 5 days of my life. We said goodbye to everyone we visit and it was just amazing...too many tears though! I guess another thing is that they are taking sisters out of Vicenza...so this will now be the second time I leave a city and they take sisters out and the third time they close my coppia. Not really sure how to think or feel about that, so I'm not thinking or feeling too much...ha ha! Heavenly Father knows what he is doing!!! MENO MALE! I trust Him.
Im really sad that Sorella Richards and I are splitting, but I think we've built a really solid friendship and we'll be friends after the mission, too. Not to worry! :)
---
Thank you so much to everyone for all of the pictures and emails. I had 40 emails when I opened my box today!!! WOW! Ha ha. Mostly pictures...WHICH IS AWESOME. You have no idea how special a picture is here. Thank you! Thank you for updating me on future plans and family events. I really love hearing about all of this stuff.
Tanney, I am so amazed at all of the wonderful things you are planning. It sounds like a lovely day. ;) You are doing amazing things. You set such a wonderful example to me and everyone around you. You are teaching me so much about diligence and hard work.
Eva, you are such a great teacher and leader....you're really growing a lot. I am thoroughly and pleasantly not surprised :) You're just amazing. Recognize your Worth!!! You are going to be a great missionary...WOW!
Mommy, how do you feel now that school is over?? Are you getting enough time to relax? Thank you so much for all of your support. I love PDay because your emails Always uplift me and make me feel so good about who I am and what I'm doing....and how far I've come.
----
Mommy, I think your World Languages idea is awesome. Is there any way we could figure something out to where I could start with online classes that can transfer to SVU?? I want to still follow the law school thing for now, and work towards something like Social Services. But, I want to do languages, too. WHY NOT??? GREAT IDEA. 10 points to MOMMY!
Well I have 3 months left. I hope when I count down you don't think its because I'm jumping out of my skin to come home. To me, its more of a way to track progress....to tell myself I can do this. Ebeneezers, no? 15 months down! WOW! I never would've guessed, EVER, that I could have made it here...Just think...2 years ago, I was going in a completely different direction...sort of. I certainly wasn't preparing properly...now look at me! Can't you see the bags under my eyes, IM OLD! Ha ha, I'm an old missionary, and I couldn't be more proud...except pride is a sin ;) :) Just know that I am doing great! I am happy. I am loving Italy!
I am so happy and so committed to being here. We have already had 7 lessons this week and we'll have 2 more today. Still working hard. And I'm going to be working even harder. This last few months and these transfers with the new sorella are going to be full of miracles and change. Get ready for some great stories!!
I love you all with my whole heart.
I pray for you every night
BE GOOD!!!!
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