Rome, here I come!

The moment has arrived. The plans are set and the bags are packed, though I should say that the only reason that the bags are already packed is because I'm not allowed to stay up until 2:30 to pack them tonight. This morning Sister Gomez and I had an amazing experience. We met with a member who was an Italian Vice-Consolate for close to thirty years, who also happens to be a member of the church. During his time, he participated in the process of the church being recognized by the Italian government as a religion as well as bringing about the permission to build the temple in Rome. He is the first Italian that I have met for some time and as we met, my excitement to return to Italy reached new heights. From my first study abroad to Siena I have loved the Italian people. I knew that I would return, even if I did not know the date or the circumstances. The joy that I feel in returning as a representative of Jesus Christ, with the sole objective to share the constant source of joy and light in my life, leads me to humbly express gratitude for the tender mercies of the Lord. He is truly mindful of all of his children.

I have grown much in my time at the MTC. The Lord needs me to be more than I was if I am to accomplish the work before me. Moments of learning can be draining. Yet when the learning consists of the things of God, He also sustains us throughout the righteous desires of our hearts. I have felt His great love as He patiently leads me to fulfill my purpose as a missionary; inviting others to come unto Christ through receiving His restored gospel. Moments have passed that were filled with a strength of the spirit of the Holy Ghost beyond what I ever had imagined possible. As we put ourselves in the position to be touched by His witness of the truth of the teachings of Christ, He does come. It is that knowledge that I will share with the Italian people.  

From teachers' stories of their first day in the mission field, I am preparing to begin contacting within hours of landing.  Yet, I feel no reservations or fears. I will arrive with a heart filled with joy, knowing the God in whom I trust. I look forward to beginning the work for which I have been preparing for far more than three weeks. I did not recognize it at the time, yet I have been prepared for this opportunity for much longer than that. My desire is nothing more than to follow the guidance of the Lord in how He desires to further His work and what role He desires for me to play. It is true that there is no greater work than to share with others their loving Heavenly Father desires to bring them home. 

I love you all and hope that you are well. 

Tanti cari saluti,

Sorella Lovell 

Last Days at the MTC

Because Paul and I are getting ready for our mission to Argentina, we have been able to spend some time with Erica as we are also doing training at the MTC. It has been a treat to say a quick hello to Erica and her darling companion at meal time.

"The Map" is one of the acceptable places to take a picture at the MTC!

Erica has loved her companion, Sister Gomez from Mexico.

This was our final good-bye!  It has been so fun to share this time at the MTC with  Erica.  She is ready to go and she will be a wonderful missionary!

Wonderful Missionaries at the MTC

Erica has met so many wonderful people at the MTC.   Because she already knew Italian, she will only spent three weeks at the MTC.  She was assigned to the "International District" which has missionaries from all over the world.  She has loved getting to know each one of them and they feel like a family.

She was able to go to the temple when Sister Thulasidass from her district went for the first time.

It was so fun for her to see Jessica Forsyth from her ward in Salt Lake. What amazing experiences to share with each other!

Easter

Dear Everyone,

Last summer, my family and I spent Memorial Day in Washington D.C. We all said that we have never celebrated Memorial Day so fully. I feel the same way about passing Easter at the MTC. We had a special sacrament meeting with Elder Packer as the main speaker. An amazing spirit was at that meeting, even simply in the fact of so many missionaries gathered in one room. There were five tables set up for the blessing of the sacrament, each with fourteen trays and seven elders to pass them. I have now learned that President Packer is actually the most difficult apostle for those with English as a second language to understand. My district had a recap of the meeting afterwards because there were those that could only catch a word or phrase every now and then. One of my favorite things he said was that if he could have a magic wand and could wave it to have any influence over us, he would use it to eliminate our fear. He said that in all of his meetings with the First Presidency and apostles, he has seen concern, sometimes worry, but never fear. This thought is supporting me as I prepare for my final week in the MTC. 

Though I continue to have many wonderful experiences here. One of which is to attend our branch leadership training. I have a great respect for President Marion. He served his mission with President Monson as his mission president and has served as a mission president himself. He is a great example of having a great love for the wellbeing of the missionaries under his care, yet this love is also tempered by an exact honor. We also have new zone leaders this week, one of whom is a recent convert from the Czech Republic. I consider myself very blessed to be able to be a member of my branch. Most members are either converts themselves or else it was their parents that joined the church. They have seen first hand the affect of the blessings of the gospel and its ability to transform lives. I feel humbled to have the opportunity to serve with them and their examples of faith and sacrifice. One of which is a new elder that joined my district last week from South Korea. His story alone provides me with a greater vision of the great truth that we have and increases my desire to share this message with all those who are willing to receive it. It has only been two weeks, but my district has become my family here. We eat together, learn together, grow together, and cry together. I have learned something more of what it is like to have brothers. We are together for roughly fourteen hours everyday and have learned a great deal in serving and supporting one another. 

Even though it has only been two weeks, it is already time to prepare to leave. I have received my travel plans and will leave next Tuesday. Sister Gomez and I will be on the same flights until London before she takes her flight to Milan and I take mine to Rome. There will be seven other missionaries traveling to Rome. We have met other Italian missionaries in passing, but are both looking forward to getting to know those with whom we will be serving in the field. Even so, I would not trade having been in my district for anything. I plan to soak up every experience in the time that I have left. 

Love you all! 

Sorella Lovell

Ciao a tutti!

Dear Everyone!

It is difficult to believe that I have only been here a week, though I am also amazed by how much can happen in one week.

Upon my arrival, I discovered that I have been assigned to Branch 57, officially known as the Advanced Language Branch, but more commonly known as the international branch. In my district, I am the only native English speaker and only American. It is a melting pot that never ceases to be exciting. When I first arrived, I was assigned to a threesome with Sister Repotente from the Phillipines and Sister Thulasidass from India. It appears that all of those Bollywood movies had a purpose! Sister Thulasidass is having an interesting time adjusting to American culture, so I am grateful to know at least a little of where she is coming from. However, the next day, I was reassigned to be companions with Sister Gomez from Mexico. She is also going to Italy, so it is nice to have someone to talk with and practice. She is solid in the gospel and I am very happy to have her as my companion. As for our entire district organization, it has been an example to me that Heavenly Father has a plan for all things. We all care for each other, though another elder from Sweden joined our district last night, so we are still getting to know him. I have been called to serve as the Branch Music Director and am glad for the opportunity to attend our branch's leadership trainings. Our Branch President, President Marion, is a great leader. There are both pros and cons to his personality with the international missionaries, as he doesn't leave anyone to doubt what is right conduct and what is not. However, when he told one district leader to tell a member of his district that if he received another notice of him taking his backpack to the cafeteria from the MTC president, he could cut off both of his legs below the knees, the district leader from South Korea only offered a weak chuckle when President Marion asked if he knew that he was just kidding.

The classes here are amazing. I am learning that our purpose is not to teach lessons but to help individuals draw closer to Christ. God already has a plan prepared for them and our job is to get in line with the plan that He already has going. However, it is not only a time to learn but to mold ourselves. Because of our setting apart, we are special witnesses of Christ. We now have the opportunity to arise and fulfill that calling. It is a time for humily and turning outwards. Any turning inwards to focus on yourself leads to less connection with the guidance of the spirit. It can be stressful trying to learn how to live so close to the spirit, but Sorella Gomez and I were reminded during General Conference this weekend that there must also be room for joy.

We had a great opportunity for joy this morning as Sister Repotente, Gomez and I joined Sister Thulasidass as she took out her endowments at the Provo Temple. As I waited for her to join us in the Celestial Room, I felt a strong witness that this is why I am here. She met the missionaries five years ago and her life is completely changed forever. It is 18 months of my life, but the joy and light in the lives of others will be for all eternity. The conviction of the power of the truths of the gospel to bring hope and peace into the lives of others is sinking into my soul. Now is the time to prepare, but I look forward to the day that I will be able to share the good news. It is the Lord's work and I am grateful that He has entrusted me to act as His representative. I am learning more fully how to trust Him and open my heart to His influence. In my own life, as well as the life of other missionaries, members, and investigators, I am being prepared to expect miracles.

Thank you all for your thoughts of love and prayers for suppoert. I feel their power.

Much love,

Sorella Lovell