February 20, 2013 Update

Buon giorno a tutti!

 

 Has another week really already passed? Last night, Sorella Caramia and I felt in denial that today would already be preparation day. I have loved the past two weeks serving with Caramia and am just grateful that we have at least four more. From her telling me to get out of the kitchen after washing the dishes, shaking her finger and saying that she would "break my face" if I rinsed them as well. I love Italian. :) Her mom is from Napoli, so she says that the really true part of Italian culture comes out in our singing down the streets as we walk. I apparently am more Italian than American in her opinion. I love this people. What can I say? We've havd a great time seeing all of the children in costumes for Carnevale parties. School this whole week is cancelled. Carnevale is like the Italian equivalent of Halloween, but because it's Italian, it has to last longer than just one day.

 

 And what a week we've had. The main event: Dominique's Baptism!!!!!! We were lucky to be able to go and I'm very grateful to have been able to be there. If there is anythign that I could have done, I wouldn't have missed this for the world. This family has become very special to me. To be able to support them and they are joined by their last family member was wonderful. Janus and Dominique both have gained such an amazing testimony of repentence; repentence as a lasting change, a change of all things keeping us from becoming like Jesus Christ. They each have changed beyond the point of recognition. A 17 year old boy who used to sleep until 11...12...1...2 now attends 6:00am Seminary on skype every morning. Dominique has a light. He is happier and seems more at peace. They aren't perfect, as none of us are. They they understand that is a part of the process of this life: to change. They are now have the sight of going to the temple as a family. It was a sweet reunion to be able to return to Rome 1, even after only have been gone for a couple weeks.

  

Also, I was lucky to have two packages arrive! One for my birthday from home, and the first package to make it from Argentina! I am very fortunate to have such a wonderful family. :) For my birthday, I have asked for some cayenne pepper, as it is one of the few spices that aren't sold here. The bag broke in the package, so my companion almost stopped breathing when she snatched a birthday party item and went to blow in it, therefore enhaling pure cayenne pepper. Though that served as our inspiration to bake and serve cayenne pepper laced biscotti to some of the elders. It had mixed results, but I can say that, though we were prepared to run, we also brought yogurt with us. The anziani have now declared war, so we'll see what happens at DDM next week.

  

Some of the biggest news these days, for those who haven't heard yet, is that the Pope has decided to resign. We heard of it right away from a member, who shared with us that this is the first time in 800 years that this has happened. They are now holding meetings to vote on who will be the next Pope. To respond to your question Jamie, this has been a time to talk about how we are guided by prophets who have been called by God. They are chosen by inspiration from a loving Heavenly Father rather than the vote of men. We don't know the exact reason why he stepped down, the official reason being that there needs to be an internal cleansing that will require a younger, stronger Pope. Many of the people that we meet, those who have actually studied the scriptures, believe that the Gospel is true, but not their established religion. They just continue to stay becuase of tradition, habit or the fear of change.

 

 I realize that I have been fortunate to serve in probably two of the largest and most stable wards in the mission. With Taranto, around 150 active members and Roma 1 with close to 120 each Sunday. Ostia is closer to about 60 members, which is still larger than some of the branches with 6-8 members. As we meet in a hotel, we are working to find other ways to help the support the ward, as we aren't able to have activities. Our bishop is amazing and all of the leaders and ready and willing to serve. A lot of people have serious problems, so we have a lot to do in serving the members here. I love the talk from last conference to observe and then serve. It has definitely been true here. We truly have been called to be the hands of the Lord, each having great power to serve. Remember that!

  

Vi voglio un mondo di bene!

 

Sorella Lovell

 

 

Photos

1. Sorella Camp!!!!! This is my roommate from the University of Utah. I was with her when she received here mission call, but didn't see once until she was in the office getting ready to fly home the next day. At least once.

2. Slla. Caramia (or in english, "my dear") and Slla. Lovell (known to many as Slla. Lovely). We make quite the pair. :)

3. Giorno di San Valentino

4. Dominique's baptism!

5. Pietro and Junior. They remind me of my own family. :) It's a good thing that I've a lot of years of practice with child play.

 

 

 

February 14, 2013 Update

Arriving in Ostia last week, I had a great welcome. Our first night, we visited Carmelo and his family. He was part of the concert that Slla. Miles and I had last fall and I can't wait for all of you to hear his "Missionari del Mondo." He broke out his guitar and as we were singing the hymns, his mom, came through the door singing and almost dancing. As they don't exactly get along very well, it was a mini miracle.

 

As for my companion, I can only say serving together feels like some sort of dream. Slla. Caramia shows her Italian personality with flaire and we have a great time together, whether singing as we walk down the street, laughing over nothing, or preparing lasagnas or desserts for President and Slla. Kelly. Her father is a progessional chef, so we she is an amazing cook and I am taking good notes on some great recipies. She is a a great missionary and feels at home in her home country. I've already learned alot from her and am grateful for her example of love of others, life, and especially missionary work. I know that we are going to be a great team together.

 

Yesterday was the Rome stop for the mission tour, with Elder and Sister Kent F. Richards. We had the zones from Sardegna, Naples and Rome together. He started by saying that we were going to follow the spirit in this meeting and would someone please stand and lead the 70ish missionaries in singing "Come follow Me." I jumped up and was felt a great sense of being among my fellow missionaries. He spoke about the hastening of the work, with the lowering age of missionaries. Worldwide, he said they may reach 100,000 missonaries before all is said and done. That was coupled with teachings on returning to the basics of the gospel. Someone later asked him what was the last thing that he learned from the First Presdiency. He said that they are only the primary doctrines and responded that for him it was a talk from general conference in the Ensign by Elder Bednar two days ago. There is so much to learn, but my experience has showed so often that it the basic truths are those that make the difference in laying a foundation for faith. On a quick note, Slla. Teichert and I had the chance for one last musical number together, "Savior Redeemer." As she goes home in March, it was a special experience. The words are amazing.

 

Vi voglio bene! Spero she voi avete un bellisimo San Valentine.

 

 

Sorella Lovell

 

February 13, 2013 - Rome, Italy Temple Progress

This is a photo Erica sent of the Rome, Italy Temple construction.  It is amazing to see this beautiful building under construction.  It will be a great blessing to the people of Italy!

February 6, 2013 Update

Dear Family and Friends,

 

Thank you all for your birthday wishes. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness.

 

My birthday began fairly calm, making myself german hotcakes for breakfast and enjoying my morning. Suddenly the door bell rang. There at the door was the entire Silva Family and Sharon. They simulaneously broke into a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" as Fatimah held up holding a birthday cake. The candle on this cake was more of a small firework with a foot and a half flame. I couldn't exactly blow it out, so I had to wait for it to extinguish and blew out the little flame at the end. What a way to start an amazing birthday.

 

I'm lucky enough to have a P-day for my birthday, though this is a little crazier than normal becuase tomorrow I will be moving to Ostia, or Roma 4. It is close to Rome 1, yet southwest and more along the coast. I will be serving with Slla. Caramia! For those who don't know, she was Brittany's companion in the MTC in Spain. I have loved getting to know her and am really excited to serve with her. My first transfer with an Italian and as senior companion. I know that I'm going to learn alot.

 

Getting ready to leave Rome, here are some quick lessons that I have learned:

1. Don't accept biscotti from people on the street, which may or may not contain alcohol, but the clementines shoved through the bars on your bathroom window are just fine.

2. Don't use the washer and an appliance or else you will have a quick morning lesson on how to handle a blown fuse from your landlady.

3. The gift of tongues and interpretation thereof is real. Teaching lessons with 2 or three languages at once I feel blessed to have been able to understand and be prompted in how to respond. Church has also consisted to translating for 2-3 hours every Sunday, with lots of guidance.

4. The Lord knows all of his children, whatever language they speak. No matter what language, whether it be Arabic, Tamil, Tagalog, English, Italian, Hindi, Romanian, or Spanish, every prayer ends with Amen.

5. The bishop here, Bishop De Matties, is one of the most inspired men I have known. I feel honored and grateful to have been able to and know and learn from him.

6. Rome P-days: Many people have parts of the truth. Last week we went to San Giovanni in Laterno, one of the four original churches built during the Roman Emperor Constantine's time. The church and St. Paul's have pieces of the original church. This church has the original baptismal font for immersion (changed around 1600), while St. Paul's still has it's font with writing labeling it as a baptismal font for the dead.

7. In reading the writings of Paul to the people of Rome, the same truths of the teaching of the prophet are very real in the lives of the Romans today. Scriptures are still relevant.

8. There is sacredness even in being close to the site of a temple.

9. You can never run out of people to love.

 

Thank you for your love and prayers. I am grateful the Lord is near each of us and lies as a fount of strength in the face of every uncertainty. (3 Nefi 3)

 

Love and prayers,

 

Sorella (not Anziana...) Lovell

 

PS from Kathryn: I looked up Anziana in an Italian to English translator for those of you who are curious, and it means elderly :)

 

January 30, 2013 Update

Dear Family and Friends,

What a week. Exchanges in Rome 3 (aka. Africa), ending with the most epic Mcdonald's ever with three simulatneous lesson. Sunday we had a fireside with missionaries on the temple. I miss the temple, yet have never had a stronger testimony than in my mission.

The work is really going really well and we have enough to for us to keep busy. Simona, wants to get married and baptized. Tonight we are hoping to meet that her companion, Davide, will be have the same desire. They didn't come to church because of going to the mountains. Still coming along well. Sharon, Fatimah's friend, needs to come at her own pace, but see the power of change that she can have. We are hoping for March for her. Carlos, is coming to church and have a lot of hope for him and his family. Janus is doing amazing and continues to grow in little ways. His increased confidence and self assurance is amazing and everyone has noticed. He values learning more of the scriptures in Seminary. Samy still is ready to contribute to the ward, though we are working a bit to help him feel integrated into all activities. Our less active work is going well, as Laura, Carlos' wife, see this as a great thing for her family. Elvis and Ruth, from Dominican Republic, have strong testimonies and we are working to help them know how to apply them here, even if they feel a little out of their area will the culture and language.

I have seen a lot about hope, faith, and temperence. I came accross a quote by Corrie Ten Boom that I feel applies alot to me and those we meet: Don't be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. I have felt that and feel the strength that comes from this knoweledge. I know He is there.

Vi voglio un mondo di bene!

Tante salute,

Sorella Lovell.