January 23, 2013 Update

Hey Everyone,

Zone Conference yesterday was focused on preparing for the changes that are coming. By May, we will have gone from 29 sisters to 50, 30 of which will have just arrived or been in Italy for six weeks. We will be excited to see how things keep progressing. Sisters will be going in many new citys, like Messina and even a small city outside of Naples (lets just say sisters will probably never serve in Naples. To express why, missionaries usually come away with stories of the Mafia, explosions, and who knows what else.). I feel excited to have more sisters. For the rest of Conference, President Kelly spoke about patience, including with ourselves.

Here is the news for Rome1: Federico is sincere in his desire to learn more and be baptized if this is the true church. We just need to find time to work around his availability, and we'll see if his baptismal date will stand. Simona and Davide - prayed together as they taught their son, Daniel, how to pray. It was an small miracle in their home. Sharon, family friend of Janus, wants to change her life and has been coming to church, which has been a focus of our ward.

Janus just started seminary and blessed the sacrament, after which Samy shared his first Sunday testimony. Alberto and Stefano have been called as ward missionaries, for which I am very excited. Laura, is a less active from Bolivia who is coming back to church. A quick story for her: away from support of family makes it harder to keep doing what she knows is right. As we were with her, I received a witness that we can have the power to all that we need through support of our ward and especially through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father is close by.

As I have read of special witnesses received by others, I have wanted to receive such a personal testimony that stems from a daily conversion and commitment to follow the example of Jesus Christ and recognizing the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Regarding many doctrines, etc. I have had experiences, or just had a feeling that they were true. I know that the Lord asnwers prayers and have increased conviciton as I have sought as stronger testimony. I feel well nourished spiritually, for which I am grateful.

I am gaining an increased testimony of this work and know it is so important. I invite you all to be willing to share the blessings that you have received. Here I have gained a testimony of the process and self conversion. It comes through turning out and when you want to turn in.

Love and Prayers,

Sorella Lovell

Here is an explanation for the photos

1. Snow, or hail, day.

2. Pumpkin Pie from an actual Pumpkin, that is how organic Italy is.

3. Our district in Rome 1

 
 

 

January 16, 2013 Update

Snow in Rome? Ok, not quite snow, but enough hail to have a snow ball fight. We ran from our apartment to have a little winter fun in the street as we slid up and down everywhere.

 

News for this week is that Janus received the Priesthood and is preparing to bless the sacrament this Sunday. Samy did it last week and both are being taught by Alberto, a new convert from last October. This is an amazing ward and the work is still continuing forward. We have two great investigators, Federico and Valentina. Federico has accepted a baptismal date for February 21, while Valentina said she will pray about it. Simona and Davide lost thier little girl three years ago, 11 months, and it was amazing to teach them the first part of the plan of Salvation we'll finish up next week. They loved it and are thinking about baptism. We made contact with Telma Farias, a less-active young woman who doesn't have a lot of family support, but wants to serve a mission. She just needs to make the decisions on her own to reach that goal.

 

As for me, I finally learned how to make Panzarotti! (A dish from Puglia, aka. Taranto) during another split with Eugenia (from Moldova) and Alessandra. And our ward is amazing and is made of about 130 who attend on Sunday, though 75% is less-active. We're working on it! I love the Lord and I have loved using more of the scriptures in Preach My Gospel. Whoever wants, it's an awesome book.

 

I sent a package to send home some souveniers, including the amazing book that I purchased at the Vatican musuem! (that I carried up all 551 steps of the cupola...) And so I will respond to all of the amazing 16 emails I received next when I can in letter or email. (P.S. My family is amazing and I love you all)

January 9, 2013 Update

Cari tutti,

So the bigger holiday for receiving presents for children is actually the 7th of January, the day of the La Befana. The bancarelle, or stall shops that are all over Rome went from Christmas decor to witches/cute elderly ladies on brooms. You can google her name for the entire story, but know that her house where the story comes from is in the top half of Piazza Navona, which just so happens to be in my area!

Alright. What a week! This last week was Janus Silva's baptism and confirmation. Fatimah, his mom, also gave a great talk, which took a lot of courage (I love her so much!). She gave it in English, with Slla. Clark acting as translator. Then I shared some thoughts on the gift of the Holy Ghost. I am so grateful that he will have this gift to be with him no matter where he is. After all this is Rome! Slla. Clark and I then shared a musical number, which Slla. Kelly was kind enough to accompany us. We sang an arrangement of, The Lord is My Shepherd, which was great to sing a duet. Then the baptism went off without a hitch. Daniele Dapuzzo, who happens to speak English from serving in Canada and so has been meeting with us to teach Janus, shared a great testimony that this was a culmination of every great day that Janus chose the right. Oh, President Kelly was also able to come and share some comments. It was great to have him there. The members always feel it an honor and it meant a lot to Janus and Fatimah. There were so many members there. Janus shared a simple and sweet testimony, which was a big deal for him because of how shy he is. He shared that he knew that the Book of Mormon will be his guide and I now it will be. It was some work for him to always maintain committments, but when he ever falls short, now he simply says. I know that I can repent, I can change. The gospel has really made a difference in his life and in the life of this family. I didn't have my camera, but will send pictures next week. Janus is also set to receive the Priesthood this Sunday!

Here is a quick list of our current investigators:
Carmela, Giada (daughter), Luca (nephew) - knows the church is true, but needs to quit smoking. Has known the church for twenty years, yet only attended sacrament meeting once.
Simona and Davide - A amazing couple who's daughter passed away. They are just starting and we are excited to keep teaching them.
Marisa and Piero, Chiara (figlia)- upstairs neighbors. He has questions, but they have great faith in Christ
Three families from our English Course. - It is a challenge to teach such a large group, but they love having us over and we are slowly making progress. Any experience you've had on teaching large groups and helping them progress together would be great!
Roger- from Madagascar, has studied the bible a lot, but has some word of wisdom things to work out. Excited to read the Book of Mormon in native language of french.

That's generally how our work is going.
Our new converts, Samy Hamed, who received the Priesthood this last Sunday, and Janus Silva, couldn't be better and are loved by the ward.
Laura is a less active who wants to start coming to church and have her new baby blessed in our ward.

Our ward has a lot of enthusiam and feels that this is going to be a big year. We have been blessed to be led to many wonderful families and individuals and are going to make a big push to help them come to church. Also, any experience you've had with what helps would be appreciated.

Here are some discoveries I've made this week: listening intently allows for inspired questions and inspired responses and you enjoy the lesson a lot more. The material you need to cover in a lesson doesn't matter as much as how the person feels. Charity is what helps find happiness and success as a missionary, because you work and do all you do out of your love and you won't give up on them.

Three final thoughts:

One, a couple weeks ago, we had a special training as a zone with a genealogy specialist from Salt Lake. This is a great missionary tool. Elder Nelson shared that the spirit of Elijah is the spirit testifying of the importance of the family. I know that families are important. We each need to know where we come from. Here's an invite to go look at your own genealogy to see what you can find.

Two, anyone setting new years resolutions (and it's never too late) check out President Uchtdorf talk from the last general conference. I was inspired and I know you will be as well.

Three, P-day at the Vatican again. I love my mission and respect all those who dedicate their lives to serve others and help them come closer to God.

As Janus said, I know that this is the true church. As I had a special experience with our three families this week, I know that we have a Heavenly Father who listens to our prayers and is waiting to respond.

I love you all and hope that you have an amazing week..

Sorella Lovell

January 2, 2013 Update

Ciao a tutti,

So we survived New Year. I'm grateful. Its the Italian season for fireworks and there is no regulation that I know of. We had a great show from our apartment, as we had to do in early and spent all of the next day at home. That is coupled with the tradition of throwing things out your window when you get to midnight, out with the old. With a new year, I am still in my little area of Roma 1. These are truly some of the most humble people I have ever known. This last week was all about hope and it was amazing. (Moroni 7:41) I love my area and my companion and I are having a great time in our new district. We have had two sisters get blown into our apartment, Slla. Christensen and Buckley, with Anz. Cardinet as our district leader. I can definately feel for them.

Janus keeps progressing. His testimony is simple, but he feels that what he is learning and reading is true. I have confidence in his continuing to grow. We are looking forward to his baptism this Saturday at 18:00 and you and Slla. Kelly are welcome to come.

Giada hasn't met with us for a couple weeks, but we hope to see her tomorrow. We have many other investigators that we hope to help start progressing now that the holidays have passed.

Samy is so dedicated. He was out of town, in Milan for work this last Sunday. Yet he flew back to attend church before returning to Milan. He now knows about the meetinghouse locator on the church website. He is set to receive the Priesthood this Sunday.

Telma is a less active, 16 year old that we jut met and are excited to work with. She is willing, but needs the support of the ward.

We have been able to work out our apartment that four sisters fit pretty well. They have done a great job at getting to know that ward and jumping in.

I am grateful for this this new year to learn and grow. I feel humbled to have the chance to have the sweet opportunity to serve and am discovering more each day to rely on the Lord. I just finished the Book of Mormon on Capo D'anno and I feel touched by it's counsel. It holds the teachings of Jesus Christ and leads to peace and lasting joy. I love sharing it.

Love you all and good luck in the new year.

Love,

Sorella Lovell

December 26, 2012 Update

Buon Natale a tutti!

Alright, I had an amazing time talking with my family yesterday! I think we officially hit the record the number of people on skype, but it was wonderful to see you all!

Here are some things to add to what we talked about yesterday. Strangest food: part of six course meal with the Goumba's on Christmas Eve was a whole shrimp bigger than my fist with a tentacle hanging on.- it was complete with head and I now know their eyes go black after they are cooked.

Other adventures...

This last week we had an exchange with Sorella Smedley and Christiansen in Roma 3, the other side of Rome and almost south until Naples. If you have ever hear do Cinecittà, which is the Italian version of Hollywood, we passed by on the bus. Sorella Smedley is amazing and I learned a lot from her. It was also great because I was able to get a Christmas gift for Slla. Clark, as it's difficult when have to always be together... Thursday we kicked off the Christmas spirit by reading Luke 2 to our English students. It took a moment to explain swaddling clothes, but was a lot of fun and a great experience. Sunday Samy was confirmed a member and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. He just keeps going. All from a business card left in our apartment and an invite to church.

For the actual Christmas Eve, we traveled for hours to visit a widow, Slla. Rose and her daughter, Sogna, in Campagano. We passed by Janus, Dominique, and Fatimah, who made us a great Phillipines dish to take with us. The evening ended after acted out the nativity, oh Marlyn...what an original/apostate Mary, and we could barely talk after our amazing meal with the Goumbas. Christmas was another lunch with the Rodicas, mom, daugher, and grandchildren Catalin and Sabina. - a double hit after dinner the night before. We sang Christmas hymns and there is something about Silent Night. Singing all together is a tradition I'd like to keep going. The night couldn't have ended better then with a skype to family and finishing off Kung Fu Panda 2.

Final thoughts... I learned more about what Christmas means and am greatful for this time to learn that it was a time that my Savior and brother, Jesus Christ came into the world. He is not only came, but his light continues to shine. I invite each of you to seek after that light and allow more of it to enter into your life.

Vi voglio un mondo di bene,

Sorella Lovell