This has been a time learning about flexibility and taking the moments as they come. I will be staying in Rome for another transfer with Slla. Miles, which will be great as we're really starting to get a sort of rhythm worked out. It is a lot more spontaneous and seeking to follow the spirit rather having a completely planned out moment. It has come with the understanding that people can't totally be planned for. There are moments when you have the idea of what you want to share and you are prepared with that, but then you simply follow what their needs are. It has made it more real for me to look to simply see people for who and where they are, knowing that I can't always anticipate what is going to happen. All I do is prepare and then go and listen to how we can create an experience together with them rather than simply what we had planned in advance.
This has also been a great time of learning patience and understanding. Sorella Heiner is still here with Sorella Clark from Bari (I was sad to have her go, but so excited that Slla. Wagoner has the chance to serve in Bari, Puglia is just magical). She arrived in Rome last transfer with a fracture and continued to walk on it with a boot. As it hasn't healed, she has been put on crutches and has been staying home for the past week. We have been doing rotating splits everyday so that Slla. Clark still has a chance to go out some and to keep both companionships going. Being so interdependent has become an adventure, but we are really learning to rely on one another. We are working together to make it through this and to support each other. It also makes me value every moment that I have to be out even more.
General Concerference was amazing! There were so many answers to prayers given throughout the sessions. I can't say enough how greatful I am for our living prophets. As we invited people to come watch the session, I sometimes marveled at the fact that I was inviting a random person on the bus to come listen to a prophet of God. President Monson is truly inspired and called to this work. We knew that a big announcement was coming and we are excited to see how lowering the age will affect the mission. We have a new missionary in our mission this transfer and he is just great (Anziano Davids, being trained by Anziano Telaroli, I was sad to see Anz. Hughes return to England to finish his mission out.)
I have so many experiences that I want to share from this week, but just one is meeting with Tiziana. We met on the metro some time ago who was finally able to meet with us this week. As we spoke on the metro, I shared that this gospel helps us to find our purpose in life. She simply responded that that is something she is looking for right now. When we met this week, she told me the whole story. She had noticed me and saw that I was different, that I was so happy and, well, she said that I looked strange and she wanted to know what it was about me. When she saw my nametag, she thought she had her answer. However, she had been praying earnestly to for God to help her find her purpose and direction in life. After we met, she felt like she may have found her answer. I know that Heavenly Father answers prayers and I know that as He cares for each of us and I know that as we earnestly seek Him, He will giude us. (And P.S. we met in a park on the south side of Rome next to the Appian Way where Peter was crucified. I am bearing my testimony in the same place they have born theirs. I love my mission!)
Loves and prayers always,
Slla. Lovell
P.S. After reading emails, I think that this will be awesome for the missions. I felt like they are young and enthusiastic and will be just amazing. There will probably be a swarm of new missionaries, which is just going to be amazing. I know that we are guided by inspiration and that we have the same power to receive the revelation for our own lives. I invite each of you to take moment to see how they can make a difference in your life to feel more of the spirit in your lives.
Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers, I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family and am grateful for each of you.
No comments:
Post a Comment