Greetings from sunny Taranto. I wish that I was able to catch some of our sea breeze and send it to all of you, but this letter will have to do.
Lessons are part of every missionary experience and I have discovered that mine will blessed with the same experiences. The current lesson is that everyone has their ability to make decisions to accept Jesus Christ into their life. My role is to help them understand what decision they are making. However, I cannot make this decision without their agreement. My choice is to continue forward to share with as many people as possible the joy that waits for them. It is a lesson that all of us have to learn at some point or another. The balance is to continue loving each of the people no matter what they choose. Sorella Teichert's great strength helps me to continue forward. I am very grateful to have her with me. We are balance for one another as well and are a great fit. Together the power of our faith can do great things. We have been blessed to see many miracles in our work and continue forward together.
This past week, Lidia Kovacs and her son Robert passed their baptismal interview. It was through a miracle that we found them just over a month ago and they are so excited for their baptism. We met Robert on the street. He was very excited to talk with us and we asked if we could stop by his home sometime to meet his mother. He said that we could come right then. The Lord truly guides us to those who are prepared. Lidia has studied with other religions for over twelve years and recognized very quickly that this is "the right road." They have both been blessed from the knowledge of the received gospel and I am grateful that they have the knowledge of their relationship with Jesus Christ. He can help them in ways beyond what I ever could. All that is left is the final details of their baptism. Their story is truly a miracle.
Thank you all for your support.
Vi abbraccio,
Sorella Erica Lovell
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Ciao a Tutti
Summer has arrived in full glory. I now fully understand why Italians desire
nothing more than to eat and stay at home from 1-4.
Our most exciting news of the weeks it the Kovacs Family. Through a miracle we met this family a little over two weeks ago. As of yesterday, the entire family has set their baptism date for July 1st. The mother, Lidia, and her two sons live in difficult living conditions. Yet the light brought to their home through the Book of Mormon continues to shine brighter in Lidia's eyes every day. She shares her testimony with everyone she knows. Through the strength of her faith, she no longer fears for the future. It has been a beautiful experience to observe the change in her very being. Her son Robert, who is 10 years old, has been the shining ray in their family. He is quick to serve those who stand in need and now considers us family.
Sunday we ate with the Fabbiano family. After eating, it turned into a sort of jam session. Who knew that Italians could play the harmonica? Giuseppe, the father, played in a way that reminded me of my grandpa Tew. Later that evening we sang for an event to raise money for the earthquake victims in the north. Good times had by all.
As for me, each day brings the opportunity to see the beauty of Heavenly Father's love for each of His children.
Thank you for all of your prayers.
Love,
Slla. Lovell
Our most exciting news of the weeks it the Kovacs Family. Through a miracle we met this family a little over two weeks ago. As of yesterday, the entire family has set their baptism date for July 1st. The mother, Lidia, and her two sons live in difficult living conditions. Yet the light brought to their home through the Book of Mormon continues to shine brighter in Lidia's eyes every day. She shares her testimony with everyone she knows. Through the strength of her faith, she no longer fears for the future. It has been a beautiful experience to observe the change in her very being. Her son Robert, who is 10 years old, has been the shining ray in their family. He is quick to serve those who stand in need and now considers us family.
Sunday we ate with the Fabbiano family. After eating, it turned into a sort of jam session. Who knew that Italians could play the harmonica? Giuseppe, the father, played in a way that reminded me of my grandpa Tew. Later that evening we sang for an event to raise money for the earthquake victims in the north. Good times had by all.
As for me, each day brings the opportunity to see the beauty of Heavenly Father's love for each of His children.
Thank you for all of your prayers.
Love,
Slla. Lovell
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Fishers of...Frogs?
Dear Everyone,
Time is short, but I just passed one of the greatest days of my life. We came to Statte to pass P-Day with the elders here Elder Badger and Elder Embree. They had planned for us to have a barbeque at a campground and then go fishing for frogs. Both of these wonderful Elders took to heart the maxim to work hard and play hard. Four of the young adults from our ward came with Sister Teichert and I on the bus to arrive in Statte. We then enjoyed our barbeque to be followed by the elders and other boys taking on the frogs in the nearby river. They made fishing poles from long pieces of cane, string, and thumb tacks. Their plan was to use a type of cheese for bait. Sister Teichert and I went with the girls further down the river. Lo and behold! We caught two frogs with our bare hands, a bag, and a small cup. Shortly after our initial success, the band of fishers passed along the opposite bank. However, the fishing idea had not found success. They quickly changed tatics and strapped whatever sharp utinsels available to the end of the cane poles (ie. one cooking knife, butter knifes, and forks). Ironically, our current district leader, Elder Sloan, gave a district training a few weeks ago that the time has come to become hunters, not fishers of men. Instead of simply sitting and waiting for the fish to bite, we must follow the direction of the "tracks", or guidance of the Holy Ghost. Today, all of our elders took this training to heart. Unfortunately for the frogs, their methods were...a bit less humane then ours. In the end, we fulfilled the first of our district goals, decided by Elder Badger: 5 frogs. First objective has been accomplished. As all of our district will remain here in Taranto for the next transfer, we are prepared to work together to fulfill the others that await our efforts. They may lead to other memories than six young men stalking palm-sized frogs with home made spears fringed with an assortment of kitchen utinsels, yet I look forward to the great times yet to come.
Sorella Lovell
Time is short, but I just passed one of the greatest days of my life. We came to Statte to pass P-Day with the elders here Elder Badger and Elder Embree. They had planned for us to have a barbeque at a campground and then go fishing for frogs. Both of these wonderful Elders took to heart the maxim to work hard and play hard. Four of the young adults from our ward came with Sister Teichert and I on the bus to arrive in Statte. We then enjoyed our barbeque to be followed by the elders and other boys taking on the frogs in the nearby river. They made fishing poles from long pieces of cane, string, and thumb tacks. Their plan was to use a type of cheese for bait. Sister Teichert and I went with the girls further down the river. Lo and behold! We caught two frogs with our bare hands, a bag, and a small cup. Shortly after our initial success, the band of fishers passed along the opposite bank. However, the fishing idea had not found success. They quickly changed tatics and strapped whatever sharp utinsels available to the end of the cane poles (ie. one cooking knife, butter knifes, and forks). Ironically, our current district leader, Elder Sloan, gave a district training a few weeks ago that the time has come to become hunters, not fishers of men. Instead of simply sitting and waiting for the fish to bite, we must follow the direction of the "tracks", or guidance of the Holy Ghost. Today, all of our elders took this training to heart. Unfortunately for the frogs, their methods were...a bit less humane then ours. In the end, we fulfilled the first of our district goals, decided by Elder Badger: 5 frogs. First objective has been accomplished. As all of our district will remain here in Taranto for the next transfer, we are prepared to work together to fulfill the others that await our efforts. They may lead to other memories than six young men stalking palm-sized frogs with home made spears fringed with an assortment of kitchen utinsels, yet I look forward to the great times yet to come.
Sorella Lovell
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