Week 1 of the fortnight …
Monday. Today was pretty awesome; we actually did something for p’day!
We went near where the 'la sella del diavolo' (the saddle of the devil). It was
a long, long hike (for me). Americans are used to this stuff but me, nope!
Anyways, let me start from the beginning. We went to do spesa, picked Roberts'
package up, then did email. While we were doing email, the Anziani called us to
let us know where and when we were meeting. (At this point we are in missionary
attire (con la gonna..) and they wanted to meet 15 mins from then. We were about
a 15 min bus ride away haha, so it could have been perfect.. but they told us
that we might want to be in 'non missionary' clothes. Well, we didn't have time
for that, besides, I don't have any jeans or anything with me; anyways (well,
now I do, but I didn't); so we risked it and ran into a Chinese shop. I don't
think any of us have ever bought jeans so fast in our lives. We tried them on,
bought them, then went back to the changing rooms to get changed into them...
Hahahah imagine! Then we set off to meet the Anziani. We were about 15 mins
late, but it was okay! So, all of us missionaries and R (otherwise it's like a
double date apparently hahahahahah gross) - got the bus to the mountains and started
our hike. You need to remember, the only things that changed were our skirts
..into jeans. I was definitely not wearing hike appropriate footwear hahaha,
but I'm a woman, so I bossed it just fine! It was long and tiring hahaha but
the view was one of the most beautiful things. I cannot wait for you to see
this city. Mammaaaaa mia. I have literally been sent to the most beautiful
parts of the world and I mean that! It's just so lush.
 |
| P-Day Hike to the Saddle of the Devil |
Then we rushed back to R’s
house for a lesson (got back, changed in her bathroom and she didn't even
realise) Hahahah. Well, President told us to just go over and over the
Restoration with her, so we did. This time we used the video. She loved it.
Then she asked us if we wanted pizza. We told her that we were okay and that we
had to go, then she called her friend. Meanwhile, we are trying to get her
attention to tell her we need to go and we can't stay for pizza and that
Roberts can't eat it anyways, cus she can't have gluten.. but she ignores us
purposely hahahahaha. So then, her friend M came, with another friend who we
have never met, called P and we start eating our pizza. Well, I finished mine
and I signalled to Roberts to tell her that I can help her with hers (I wasn't
being greedy, she can't eat gluten, so I was trying to help her out) and then
she rips some off and puts it on my plate as discreetly as possible. Then P
catches it and gives me half of her pizza too thinking I'm hungry and so I'm
telling her that I am not hungry, but she's confused, cus I just took some of
Roberts pizza and it was just awkward and I was so full I could have cried
hahahahaah; but basically I ended up eating 2 fishy pizze and I was so so so
full hahaha. (Like, two whole pizze - plural).
Tuesday.. Well, today we were determined to find the time to do
something before DDM, which is placed at a pretty inconvenient time. We headed
to centro to find K (the girl from the gelateria that we found a month back on the
scambio.. with a brother called N). She
was there and was super happy to see us! The reason she didn't call us back was
because she was just so busy. So I'm super sad, cus she really literally works
all the time.. :( but hopefully some weekend or something, we can catch her when
she is free! :) then we headed back to the chapel for DDM... but got on the
wrong bus. Anyway, to cut it short, eventually we got there, just like 20 mins
late. DDM was awesome. Anziano Molnar did the spiritual thought. He is so
creative! He did it basically like a story that we had to act out and it was
awesome. Then Haroldson did the addestramento.. which was awesome too. He based
it on the talk: ‘Becoming the consecrated missionary’ -Tad R. Callister 2008. MTC Utah. It was
super duper awesome. Made me wanna be way better. Sometimes I think that maybe
it will take until I get home to be the missionary I want to be. I'm beginning
to understand why people say it's the best, but hardest 18 months/2 years of
your life, because you're just serving people all day and that is the best. You're
constantly surrounded by the love and support of your companion and other missionaries
and leaders and most importantly you really feel closer than ever to both our
Heavenly Father, our Saviour and the divine, sacred influence of the Holy
Ghost, but at the same time, there is that constant desire to improve; and
although it's a good desire at times, it is so so hard, because sometimes you
just never feel good enough. It really humbles you, I'll tell you that, but
it's just the best. A working progress, a magnificent journey! The whole
addestramento was all very thought provoking. He spoke about the equal
importance of changing both behaviour and nature. He said "If we only
change our behaviour, we'll return home he same person we left." .. and
that the way we change also our nature is my submitting ours to the will of
God. He spoke about sacrificing fears, 'preaching by the way' (D&C
52:10-27), increasing faith, getting home out of our head, giving up pride and
devoting ourselves fully to the Lord. He covered a ton of points. It was really
well delivered! Definitely made me want to be better :) After that, Fratello C
made lunch :)))) then we went home to study Italian, then went to see V :) We
did a lesson with her about the power of prayer! It went really well. Then we
helped her sort out the room of her Uncle. Then we just accompanied her for a
little, cus she is alone and just could really do with some company. I love
her! After that, we went to do finding. We literally spoke to everyone!! We met
an awesome woman called G. Anyways, she had her baby son with her and he was
absolutely gorgeous! She seemed really interested in our message and agreed to
swap numbers :) After that we headed to English course, got there un po' late,
but vabbè! That went well and for the spiritual thought I used a quote from the
'Come and See' discorso and gave them each a slip of paper and invited them to
write down a question that they have about our religion, so that our spiritual
thoughts can help them to better understand what we believe .. and so it can be
of interest to them :) After that, we called S, the lady we met last week and
got an appointment :) for next Tuesday!
Wednesday... We started off with a trip to Quartu to see C and P. When
we first got there, a different lady answered the door all happy and welcoming
and we had never met this lady before, so we were all like 'errrrm ciaooooo😁' haha; but it turned out it was C's
sister and she was super duper nice. Well, initially, we planned on finally
finishing off the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost
and enduring to the end), but while Roberts was doing her part, they got
distracted and we began talking about the Priesthood. The start talking about
how the Pope and the priests all have the Priesthood and so out of 'curiosity'
I asked the, where the Priesthood came from... Like who gave it to the Priests...
Then the ministers, then we traced all the way back to the Pope where I asked
them how the Pope got it and they were like 'boh, maybe the other ministers';
so ideally that would have led on perfectly to the Restoration of the
Priesthood, no!?! .. but they then start talking about unforgivable sins.
Anyways, after that we headed home for pranzo and lingua, cus that's honestly
all we had time for. Our city is so huge. We've actually decided doing Quartu
days, cus going there for just one lesson is a waste, so we need to find more
less actives and simps from there! After pranzo and lingua we went to see R :)
We spoke about how through the Atonement of Christ we can change the little
things that stop us progressing, based on the talk 'What Lack I Yet?'. It went
really well. We always have a great time visiting her. After that, it was
finding finding finding. Not much really came of it and then we headed to the chapel for a
lesson on the Plan of Salvation with A, B and a member present R!! :) Okay, so
this lesson, it went so so so so well. We couldn't have used a more capable
member. R was baptised just over a month ago, the Anziani taught him. He was
originally an English course student. He is GOLDEN. He just helped us out so
much. His testimony wasn't overbearing, but was bold and definitely invited the
spirit, probably more so than we could have. If there was something that A or B
didn't understand, he helped explain it and his explanations were just so so
solemn. In the end, we invited them to pray, and R suggested we all knelt down.
(He likes kneeling down :) ) and the spirit was most definitely there. It just
felt great and I know that we were able to help A and that he understood it,
because at the start; we asked him what he thinks his purpose is in life and he
took a while to answer saying how there are many answers, but to start with, he
told us that he didn't know, but then at the end you could tell that his mind
was enlightened and he even sent us a text saying how he gained a lot. At the
end while we were waiting for the bus with R, he asked us how he delivered it,
so we told him how well he had done!! I think this was the first lesson he had
helped out with (other than the ones with his wife, E.) He was super grateful
for the experience and he is just the sweetest man I've met!!
Quote from R (in English) "I think pizza in a box is very sad"
hahaha ..made me laugh. He would much rather eat in a restaurant.
Thursday, well first thing in the morning, we got a bidone. We began
making love hearts with scriptures on for B...to ‘heart attack’ her. First, we
went to do park finding. We met an African guy who was begging outside a shop.
His name was J. He seemed really interested, so he gave us his number and asked
him to call us! :) After that, we headed to B's, to ‘heart attack’ her door.
Luckily the main door of the apartment that B lives in is always open. We got
there and just went for it! No-one was in, so that was also a relief! haha It
was a little awkward when people walked past and we pretended we weren't doing
anything haha. Well we continued finding, oh, side note. I BEG YOU IF ANYONE
HAS FINDING IDEAS I AM ALL EARS. I am about to go crazy with the amount of
finding we do, due to cancellations and I just need something to put into the
mix. Not much seems to be working, so I 100% understand and can sympathise with
Ammon! Got home, received another bidone. Woooo! So LUCKILY (or maybe because
we are blessed haha), we were able to fix up a last minute lesson with B... who
absolutely loved the ‘heart attacked’ door hahahah. We got an idea from an
Anziano who is serving in the Napoli zone right now. The office missionaries do
this weekly 'funny story competition' and the weekly funny story from last week
was from Anziano Tanner (super funny guy who was in the Catania zone when I
was). Basically, we set it up how (this is only for new converts haha important
side note right there!!) One of us teach with the new convert (so in this case,
B) and the other missionary acts as a simp. It's basically a role play, so in
the lesson we have time to study the topic all together, then we split up. It
went well though and G would have loved it; too bad we are done with the new
convert lessons with her. We might just do it with her anyways though, as we
still plan on doing spiritual thoughts with her. After that, we had to rush off
to set up for the Halloween party that all us missionaries were organising. B
told us she'd give us a lift. We were really grateful, but by the time we got
there the Anziani had decorated everything... Oh well ha! We bought a brownie
and I made a spider out of black tape and paper to stick on top with cherry
sauce as 'blood' Hahahah It was supposed to be scary! The party was awesome. A played some songs that I
used to listen to at home and it was a trial for me not to dance to them!
Hahaha We played a few games and everyone
seemed to love it! A came too and one English course lady bought a cake, which
was super sick Hahahah It was supposed to be scary and she had like a fake lung
on it or something! A’s dad, Fratello DP make a lush cake. He reminds me a lot
of Dad! He's super creative. He's super funny and he bakes too! You'd love him!
Thennnnn we came home!
 |
| Fun at the Cagliari Ward Haloween Party |
Friday.. Weekly planning in the morning, made chilli for dinner MMMM, then
after pranzo and studies, we went to our neighbour who lives under us, to do
some service (English), because she will be going to study abroad in a few
months and her dad asked us if we could help. They are a family of 4 (mom, dad
and 2 figlie), so we are gonna try and teach them all... In Italian... About
Christ’s church. :) After that, we headed to go find some ex investigators whose
numbers we don't have, but addresses we do. At the bus stop this man started
speaking to us. He was a funny little old man who thought he knew us (must have
met the sisters before and thought we were the same). He was disappointed that
we didn't 'remember' him haha. He then gets cards out of his bumbag and shows
off all of his tricks. He was awesome and asked us if we could tell him when
the ward does a talent show. He then went on to telling us how his wife died a
few years back and that it’s been hard, but this passion for magic is what keeps
him going. We ended up getting on the same bus (not our plan) and got to introduce
him to the Book of Mormon. As we stated our purpose, as I listed 'faith,
repentance baptism etc' he told me he is really struggling with his faith, and
has done since God took his wife from him. We told him we could help him with
that and he was surprised. He accepted the Book of Mormon, gave us his number
and then asked more general questions about the mission. He thought that the
church hires young boys and girls and pays us to do this hahah He was
absolutely baffled when he realised that we actually choose to do this haha! We
continued in doing finding, none of them were in, or it wasn't a good time etc.
Roberts fell in the middle of the road, so we took an unexpected trip to church,
so she could clean her bloody hand up, then we carried on. On our travels, we
met some more Africans, a lady called S and her baby boy called 'God’s time'
(that was his name.. Maybe it was all one word like Godstime. I don't know, but
he was beautiful! That was basically our day.
Saturday... We began at the church doing a lesson with M. We had role
played and planned super well. We spoke about the Atonement, how through Christ
our weaknesses can become strengths as last time when we invited her to
baptism, she told us that she doesn't think she can keep all the commandments,
especially the one where we are to 'turn the other cheek'. We invited her to
baptism again and we finally figured why she won't. She doesn't think she can,
because she doesn't think it's possible to follow Jesus. What she really means
is that she doesn't think she can follow Jesus perfectly, which we told her is
fine. I asked her 'I was baptised when I was 8 years old. Do you think that I,
as an 8 year old followed Jesus PERFECTLY or do you think I tried? (Rhetorical
question haha..) I tried, it most certainly wasn't perfectly.. and what about
now? I’m now 20 years old. Do you think I follow Jesus Christ PERFECTLY? No,
but I try! I make mistakes, but it's okay, because I try and I know that I can
be forgiven.' She seems to think that when we get baptised we sign some kind of
contract promising to be perfect. I really love M! After that, we headed to X.
She was really pleased to see us. We introduced the Book of Mormon to her and
she was super grateful and excited and told us she is always there and to come
back soon! So this next week we will try and set up a proper appointment with
her! Can't tell you her name though, cus it's kinda weird and I don't remember
anymore haha. Then we went to try and find somewhere that makes stamps for our
stamper that we use for the pass along cards, cus we broke it, oops! Pranzo,
lingua, then an evening full of finding..... We began trying to find ex
investigators.. One woman was about to go to her TJ church, but told us to pass
by one evening next week! The others weren't in, so on the bright side, nobody
told us that they aren't interested! Trick or Treaters were everywhere! It's
super cute though, cus the parents dress up with them and so there's all these
cute kinda scary families. They also don't really ring doors, cus everyone here
lives in apartments, but the shops remain open til later and they just go into
shops really and the shops are all loaded with sweets for them; at least from
what I saw, so it was sweet. I was wondering how they'd do it! Nobody was
interested though in our message, as they were all preoccupied with Halloween,
so we were like errrrrm okay... We'll go to the park ... Nobody. Okay, the big
Main Street in centro, full of trick or treaters; none of which had the time to
stop... So we were like well, we have about 3 more area books at home which we
haven't yet looked through, so we'll make calls. A few people said we could see
them, so we are super excited about that! :) Also, on the bus home from this we
spoke to 3 African men, D, B and K. That was basically our day!
Sunday... Well, we began with church. It was an interesting one for me
too! Sacrament meeting was awesome. I don't think I've mentioned this before,
but this is probably the most reverent ward I've ever been to during the
sacrament meeting.. Even though there are also a ton on younger children! The
testimonies were awesome. I felt like a lot of them testified of our Saviour
and how he is helping them through trials and hardships. It was just awesome. I
don't wanna leave this ward. They’re very strong. They have some incredible
leaders here! Relief Society was taught by Sorella S. It was a really really
good lesson, all about the Sabbath and the sacrament. I enjoyed it a lot. This
is what made me realise and reflect on the reverence that this ward
demonstrates, especially during the sacrament. It was awesome! I told A how
awesome I thought this ward was in terms of reverence (as well as other things
obviously). Church was great! After that, we had pranzo, then studied Italian.
I really struggle studying the language; I get so distracted. I don't speak as
well as I probably should because of this and I want to change it, but I find
it so hard! After that, we went to church for correlation. Then headed to A.
Love her! We spoke about what it means to take upon us the name of Christ...
and led it onto following his example. We spoke about how every lesson he ever
taught, he taught by example. He didn't leave us confused, he showed the way
then commanded us. Then it led to the extra guidelines and standards that have
been revealed to prophets and this time we emphasised language. It went well!
She told a ton of stories and before we knew it we needed to go home to make
calls for the following week! Two ‘A’ quotes that made me laugh were:
She stood up to kill a mosquito and she was like: "I don't want
this here now. It will eat me out in the night!" Then she is talking about
something that happened at college and she said "This girl was so mad, she
was vibrating!" and I was like 'Hahahah what? Vibrating??' And she was
like "YES”. She was so mad she was VIBRATING!' hahaha. She's hilarious. It
doesn't even sound funny typed up like this, but she cracks me up!
Well, all in all, this week was tough, I'm gonna be honest, but little
things have reminded me of God’s love and have made me smile during the hard
times. I echo what I said last week... Or the week before. The mission is a
roller coaster. It's a classic line I know, but there's no other way I could
put it. I love every minute and little things help me to love even the frustrating
moments, so for that I am grateful!
I know this gospel is true. I know that if we listen close enough, the
Spirit will guide us throughout our lives. Sometimes it feels like the
adversary is louder and that is why it's so important to always be listening
out for the promptings of the spirit and to always be willing to act. It's hard
sometimes, but it's the only way we will truly be happy. The Spirit is a
sacred, divine companion that can be with us all of our lives; a friend, a
councillor, a comforter and we have this sacred gift, because we have a loving
Heavenly Father and Saviour, Jesus Christ who love us so much, that although
physically they can't be here with us in these very moments, standing with us,
holding our hands, spiritually, they are .. and we can feel that reassurance
through the Holy Ghost.
I love this gospel. It's simple. It brings blessings and it's true.
Share it whenever and wherever you can! It will help others and fill you with
joy.
Baci e abbracci,
Sorella Robertson
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Week
2 of the fortnight …
Well well well. Unfortunately for you, and for me, I didn’t write up
anything all week. It’s been pretty crazy. I’m just gonna share with you guys
some highlights! :)
So, after p-day we went to do a FHE with la famiglia DP. I just love
this family so so so much! We spoke about how the scriptures bless our lives
and then each shared our fave scripture (or at least one of them) and spoke
about what it means to us and how it helped us! After that, we just spoke about
life. This family reminds me a lot of home. Fratello DP and his two kids, A who
is like 22 and R, who is like 12 or 13 are awesome. Fratella DP made dessert.
LUSH .. and we just spoke, then left to go home to do some area book!
 |
| The Caglairi District Oct-Nov 2015 |
Another highlight: Anziano Molnar did the addestramento since it would
have been his last! It was super awesome. It was very personal and everybody
gave input; like it was more of a really spiritual discussion. He is super
creative. He'll make a great leader back in Germany. We were able to share with
one another why we came on a mission, why we are still here and what has worked
for us in strengthening our testimonies. He shared a poem and asked each of us
how it relates to our lives and it was awesome, cus we each had different
answers .. and so since this email is so short, I’m gonna share with you guys
what my answer was to the question 'Why are you still here in the mission?'
-Because I love it
-Because there is a reason God told me to come here
-Because I know my Father in Heaven wanted me to come here (answers to
prayers, Patriarchal Blessing)
-Because there is still so much more for me to learn, that I know I need
to learn here and now
-Because the work for me to do is not finished and won’t be until the
end
-Because I love the people
-Because I know that families can be eternal and I want to help others
to achieve it
-Because I have a testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s
a message of happiness and I want to share it!
-It’s the least I can do. I owe a lot to my Father in Heaven and
Saviour, Jesus Christ and this is a small fraction of that which I owe them.
-Because very special people have been placed in my path here, both
members, investigators and especially, my companions.
Well guys, the list could go on and on, but I just wanted to share with
you why I am still here.
Another highlight: We saw C and her friend... They fed us SO much cake.
It was like Brownie Italianized.
R set a baptismal date. She will enter into the waters of baptism 5th
December- SHE WAS CONTENTISSIMA! Miracles are happening!
All in one day, A, R and a less active .. ALL PRAYED AND SAID BEAUTIFUL
prayers!! :)
The Sorelle cancelled a scambio... again, so we had to do an emergency
one and had to go there... since the transfer ends soon and I wouldn’t be
fulfilling my responsibility not going; so we made that sacrifice, as it was
their turn to come here and we honestly saw so so many blessings from doing
so!!! I also learnt a LOT from that scambio!!
We had an awesome lesson with M. She even mentioned baptism this time!!
:)
TRANSFER CALLSSSSSSSSSSSSSS … Roberts
leaves me to go to Rome with the other Sorella
Roberts. (Not even kidding) hahah. I'm so sad. I love love love Sorella Roberts and she has helped me more than she will ever know, on many aspects. I stay; get my wish of an Italian companion, Sorella Rossi and we also get 2 new sisters to live with us. (Sorella Chandler, who came into the mission with me and Sorella Clark who came into the mission with Roberts). I'm excited, because finally my Italian can improve, as I did tell President that I feel I would benefit having an Italian comp. She actually killed Nagliati (last Sorella to serve with Nagliati, before leaving for home). My main aim is to be her friend, improve my Italian and to work well with her :) In other news, Molnar goes home tomorrow, cus he's done, so he will be replaced and we will also have 2 new Anziani, so in this city, we will have 8 missionaries altogether!!! Exciting!
Roberts. (Not even kidding) hahah. I'm so sad. I love love love Sorella Roberts and she has helped me more than she will ever know, on many aspects. I stay; get my wish of an Italian companion, Sorella Rossi and we also get 2 new sisters to live with us. (Sorella Chandler, who came into the mission with me and Sorella Clark who came into the mission with Roberts). I'm excited, because finally my Italian can improve, as I did tell President that I feel I would benefit having an Italian comp. She actually killed Nagliati (last Sorella to serve with Nagliati, before leaving for home). My main aim is to be her friend, improve my Italian and to work well with her :) In other news, Molnar goes home tomorrow, cus he's done, so he will be replaced and we will also have 2 new Anziani, so in this city, we will have 8 missionaries altogether!!! Exciting!
Sunday was awesome, cus we did a family home evening a casa di Sorella S,
con alcuni meno attivi. It went really well and turned into an awesome
discussion about their conversion stories, testimonies of prayer and of our
Saviour!
I apologise again at how bitty and weird this email is. I will make it a
priority this week to write something down each day, so you never have to read
an email like this again haha
I love you all so very much and miss you!
I love my Saviour and Father in Heaven and for all that they have done
for me, so that I can progress and change.
I know that this is the restored church of Christ!
Keep being amazing.
You are each great examples for me.
I LOVE YOU ALL! <3
Sorella Robertson
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
