May 1, 2013 Update

1.Stake Conference. Three days with Elder Callister (including our special missionary training.) I have learned so much. With us, he spoke of how much of the Plan of Salvation we have because of the Restoration. Amazing. Also, he spoke much of how wonderful his wife is. The stake president, DeFeo, was called as a 70 last conference, so it was all reorganized. This is an amazing time in the growth of the church in Italy!

 

2. Mency with her adorable children from India!

 

3. English Course!

 

4. Seeing the Pope this morning. In the photos, imagine he's behind the crowd.

5. Segway tour of the Villa Borghese!- like Central Park. It was packed because of the Holiday. 

To the general public, I have chosen, for many reasons, to discontinue my blog. Instead I will be emailing a letter. If you would be interested in receiving this letter, please email me at erica.lovell@myldsmail.net.

Happy May Day Everyone!

 

-Sorella Lovell

 

April 25, 2013 Update

Ciao a tutti!

 

Here's a quick investigator update:

I spoke with one investigator this morning and he has shared that he knows the church is true, yet isn't willing to give a response about baptism because of his relationship with his wife. She is not against the church, yet they have their own issues they are working through. We have hopes to build a relationship with her and give some encouragement and show how the gospel can bless their marriage.

Giorgiana is a new investigator from Romania and has a lot of promise. She is a young mother who comes to our English course and is excited to learn more.
After typical weekly lesson with the Agomeri's, a part member family, we stayed a moment afterwards to play with Sorella Agomeri's granddaughters. As we left, S.lla Agomeri invited us for dinner this Sunday and her two granddaughters (who are not members), came up and said that they would try to come to church this Sunday. I appreciated the opportunity to see that time and love goes a long ways.

Yesterday, we spent our day finding the less-active members in Latina as part of the efforts to open a new group there. Let's just say that I have the blisters to prove that we were out from 8am to 10pm. The areas here are huge and the transportation...not always the most reliable. We have a great experience and the people were very quick to talk about the gospel and listen to our message. As the delay of over an hour to our train kept us at the station, I overheard someone singing the theme of "The Dance of the Slaves" from Verdi's opera, Aida. I was really excited to talk with them and turned out that, the two composers, percussionist, and trumpeter are all music students. They found a lot of truth in our message and we left them with copies of the Book of Mormon. I look forward to go back when we can, yet know that the time is an issue. There is so much excitement with all of the new missionaries coming out. Three sisters go home next week and 15 arrive.

 

For me, I am realizing how other people have different priorities and personalities. The core doctrine and commandments of the gospel are set, but I can learn good principles from everyone and be happy being myself.

 

I love you all.

 

Erica