March 13, 2013 Update

As the flood continues to run down the streets, I'm sitting happy and dry in our local internet spot. We've had a bit of a cold spell. A fashion tip from Italy: The eight foot long scarves are not just for fashion. Wrapping it around 3...4...5 times makes them really warm. For space, I had to leave mind at Rome 1 when I moved, but it was nice to have for the worst of the winter.

 

Living in Italy, patience comes in a special sort of way. If comes in seeing the slow progress daily. Noticing the small miracles manifesting the hand of the Lord. Work comes, and work goes, like no one suddenly answering your phone calls... Yet we keep smiling, singing, working and hoping.

 

I can't say how much I love our morning study. When we have to skip it for travelling, etc, it feels like I have lost my powerboost for the day and I catch whatever I can on whichever metro or bus we take. This week, I had an epiphany. In Matthew, the Pharisees judge the apostles because they begin to harvest corn and eat it on the Sabbath day. Christ response said simply that if they understood that the phrase: "He desires mercy more than sacrifice" (something like that) then they would not judge those without fault. In looking further, the Savior was refering to Hosea 6:6 "For I desired mercy, not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." In the original Hebrew, mercy was denoted as kindess or charity. I know that we have rules and laws. Yet in the same section, the Lord declared himself to be the Lord of the Sabbath. His followers were hungrey and so he allowed them to eat. This needs to be taken with a grain of salt, but as I have gone through the mission, I have learned that we as missionaries are not here to fulfill the rules. In considering the spirit of the law, they are here to protect and bless the missionaries and those who they serve. Yet we are also given the spirit to know how to apply them. There are moments that it is wiser to apply charity and kindness that throwing the book at one in need.

 

This past week, we met Mario. He has lost four members of his family in the past eight year. Coming from Sardenia, it's an adventure with his dialect, yet he has felt touched in our lessons and we look forward to continue teaching him. He is one from whom I have learned we all need someone to just listen.

 

Well, I love Italy, I love my crazy, amazing, wonderful companion - S.lla Caramia, and family, I love each of you.

 

Un baccione!

 

Sorella Lovell

 

 

P.S. I heard from my Grandma that she has been asked to sing at the Relief Society dinner in her ward in the small Lost River Valley, Idaho. It's a small world, because I have been asked to sing this weekend at the Stake Relief Society birthday celebration for the Rome Stake. I got it all from her. What can I say, I have great "genes". :) Good luck Grandma, I sure that you will be lovely. Give a hug to Grandpa and Rachelle for me.

March 6, 2013 Update

Ciao a tutti,

News for the week starts with the baptism of Franceso and Matteo Banchini next Thursday! They are young brothers, 9 and 11, whose sister Micaela, has been taking them to church for years. Their interview is tomorrow evening, so we'll have the next week to get everything set.

On Monday, I gave the training in our DDM. It put together some thoughts I've had or learned from most of my mission, so here it is, the main points at least. I chose to focus on the affect of having a vision and how we work together with the Holy Ghost to create a vision.

"The setting of goals is not nearly so important as setting a vision for indiviuals and organizations. Wisefully selected goas are immediate mile posts that mark our course. Vision on the other hand is far more reaching and exceeds the goal in importance. A vision is like a lighthouse, which illuminates rather than limits, gives direction rather than destination. Almost all successful individuals and organizations have one thing in common: the power and depth of their vision. A positive, meaningful vision of the future, supported by compelling goals provides purpose and direction in the present." - James J. Mapes

Many examples in the scriputures illustrate this point, perhaps the strongest of which is Job. His story lends itself well to endurance, yet it was his knowledge that, "though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." (Job 19:26)

We have a clear mission vision, the main point of which is: Fill the temple of Rome with the children of God.

Goals function as the actions, or stepping stones, that allow us to realize our vision. We set goals yearly (March isn't too far from January..), monthly (or transfers) and daily. On the importance of goals, President Monson has said, "It is necessary to prepare and to plan so that we don't fritter away our lives. Without a goal there can be no real success. One of the best definitions of success I have ever heard goes something like this: Success is the realization of a worthy ideal. Someone has said the trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never cross the goal line."

Ok. I don't have a lot of time left, so here are the rest of the scriptures and quotes and I'll leave it to you to imagine what happened inbetween:

Preach my gospel (in italian) - page 146 - key indicators

Role of the Holy Ghost

Preach my gospel (also italian)- 156 - goals

Where do we come in?:

Alma 29:4, D&C 58:26-28

"God is the author of all good and yet if you rightly understood yourself, you would not directly attribute every good act you perform to our Father in Heaven, nor His Son, Jesus Christ, nor the Holy Ghost. Neither will you attribute every evil act of man or woman to the devil or His spirits of influence. For man is organized by His creator to act perfectly, independently of all influences there are above or beneath. Those influences are always attending Him and they are always ready to dictate and to directò to lead him unto truth or to lead Him unto destruction. But is He always guided by those influences in every act? He is not. It is ordained of God that we should act independently in and of ourselves and the good is present when we need it. If we will ask for it, it is with us." - President Brigham Young.

I know this church is true. I love seeing the light come on when people understand and feel that there is something more. I know that each of us have the power to create a vision for ourselves, our families, and our missions, all the same in the end result of our desire to return home with our families to our Father in Heaven and help as many others as we can on our war.. This sustains us and provides a strength for us to rely and keep walking. I invite you to do all you can to help other to be able to have this vision for themselves.

Vi voglio bene.

Sorella Lovell

Photos

1. Ostia Relief Society

2. Ostia Antica! Picture Pompei, only sediment from the Tiber river instead of volcanic ash. It is amazing. That was an old theater, which was great fun. It also has a Roman bath converted Christian basilica from about 160 AD.

3. Emiglia with her costume from Carnevale. They were everywhere.

 

 

February 27, 2013 Update

Dear Family, Friends, and whoever else happens to read this,

Where to start? Our area continues to go forward as seek to strengthen the members and work with the leaders to help them form a united ward. I can't say enough of how much difference it makes to have a welcoming ward for when we bring investigatrors, etc. At this point, there are amazing individuals, and we are working to help them see and be aware of that in each other.

One of these amazing members is Tina Frau. She is a 74 year old Sardanian with a will like few I have ever known. Her husband left her and her five children over thirty-five years ago, leaving her to provide for them along. It was after this that she met the missionaries. She remains the one source of income in her home, which still includes children and grandchildren. Yet her I will never forget her behavior this last Monday at our family home evening. Her home is open to all, including her ex-husband and his companion. After talking of the celestial kingdom, she shared her testimony that it is true and invited them to meet with the missionaries so that they can receive the blessings of this happiness. The evening then ended as she danced to the closing hymn. It truly is amazing what power the gospel brings into our lives and allows us to extend the same blessings to those around us no matter the circumstances.

As for me, I am still learning daily and learning to live each moment to the fullest without hurrying on to the next. With the new sisters, Slla Caramia and I will probably only be together for one transfer, as there is a good chance both of us will be training this next transfer or the following. In other words, we are living and learning from each other as much as we can. At the end of the transfer, twenty missionaries are returning home, including half of my companions and most of the Elders with whom I have served. Last week, we received notice that as of July, our mission will be under the direction of Michael and Anna Waddoups, from West Jordan, Utah. A lot of change coming. Such is a part of life.

Tanto amore e un abbraccio forte,

Sorella Lovell

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 :)