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