P.S. Modena 2 - Transfer 4 - Week 6 Photos

June 29, 2011

P.S.  Photos:

1. Matilda's Baptism!!!  Isn't she beautiful?

2. My watch line.  Yeah, I get a little sun here.  Don't worry, I use sunscreen.

Modena 2 - Transfer 4 - Week 6

June 29, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

 

I'm being transferred to VERONA!!!  WOW!  I'm SO excited, but my heart is breaking because I'm leaving behind so many people whom I love with all my heart!  It has been a crazy transfer.  Lots of excitement, lots of work, some heartache, but mostly just tons of miracles.  I am happy to report, though, that my new companion is SORELLA SMITH!!!!  Catherine and Kristina can tell you about how great she is, and I'm sure you'll all be hearing much more about her in the future!  You actually all got a photo of her in the last email because she was in Modena on scambi, so it only makes sense that we're together for this transfer.  Hopefully di più. :) 

 

I don't have much time today for email because we're headed back home to pack, but I did want to recommend to all of you the Conference issue of the Ensign, May 2011.  It is BEAUTIFUL!!!  Every talk seems like it's talking directly to me, and my testimony of the prophet and this church have grown so much as the Spirit and the words of our leaders have worked together to address every single problem or question that I have had in this past week.  I know that as we listen to the prophets, study the scriptures, and pray with real intent, we can all have our questions answered!  We just have to ask and actively search for the answer. :)  In particular, not to choose favorites, because I love them all, but I'd like to refer you to Elder Paul V. Johnson's "More Than Conquerors through Him That Loved Us" from the Sunday Morning Session.  You can also find it online if you don't actually have the Ensign.  It's beautiful.  All of the talks are beautiful.

 

I love you all!  Thank you for your support, love, letters, friendship, and for taking the time to read my letters every week. :) 

 

Keep the faith!

 

Love always,

-Sorella Willey

 

--
Sorella Willey

elizabeth.willey@myldsmail.net

Sorella Elizabeth Willey

Missione Italiana di Milano

Via Gramsci, 13/4

20090 Opera MI

ITALIA

Modena 2 - Transfer 4 - Week 5

June 22, 2011


Dear Family and Friends,


I am winding up to the end of another transfer, and we have been seeing lots of miracles, as usual. :)  I have loved getting your letters and emails, as usual.  And this week, Matilda, our 20 year old investigator from Ghana will be baptized!  She has been studying the scriptures above and beyond, and she has a friend at nearly every lesson!  She really has gained a testimony of the truth of this message.  I know that she will continue to grow and learn, and the ward is becoming more and more open to receiving new converts.  For a while I was worried because they aren't always particularly excited about 'stranieri' or foreigners.  But we have lots of people coming to the baptism, and I think it will be wonderful for her to be confirmed in Sacrament Meeting during the Ward Conference this week.


As usual, I'm a little worried about transfers.  I know that whatever happens, I'll be exactly where God wants me to be. But at the same time, I don't want to leave all of these people with whom I have been working.  There are so many wonderful blessings in the mission.  It is hard.  Very hard.  But one of our investigators was asking about what happens after the mission, and it hit me how hard it will be to take off the tag (in a few years when I finish...).  I don't want to think about it right now, or ever.  But I have really learned to love this work, these people, and most of all the Savior and His teachings.


In my last few seconds, may I recommend 2 Nephi 33:10.  We talked about the power of conversion yesterday in District meeting and how important the role of the Book of Mormon is in this process.  We must gain a testimony of the words of Christ through reading the scriptures, all of them.  ;)  And then praying for a confirmation from the Spirit of God.  Even if we already feel that it is true, to gain a testimony, we must pray.  We must ask God.  I ask every once in a while, even though I know it's true.  Every time I ask, I feel that peace and confidence come into my heart, and I KNOW it's true!


I love you all!  Thank you for your support, love, friendship, and everything you have done for me before and during this mission!  I pray for you always, and feel the influence of your prayers!


Love always,
-Sorella Willey


PS the photos are:
1. Sorella Jacobson, my scambi companion last week in Firenze.  She is FANTASTIC!!!
2. Sorella Smith, here on scambi with the other companionship.  She was roommates with Catherine and Kristina last semester at BYU!  She is AMAZING!!!


-- 
Sorella Willey
elizabeth.willey@myldsmail.net


Sorella Elizabeth Willey
Missione Italiana di Milano
Via Gramsci, 13/4
20090 Opera MI
ITALIA

Modena 2 - Transfer 4 - Week 4

June 15, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

What an amazing week!  I think I say that every week...

Charity got baptized, and we're so excited for her!  You should have heard her beautiful prayers!  She has learned to really speak to God instead of just reciting words that she's heard others say.  Sorella Laratro and I were brought to tears two or three times when she prayed.  Maybe I mentioned this last week, but even just in this week, she made so much progress!

We are working with a bunch of people about 30 minutes south of Modena.  Matilda, a referral from the Anziani, keeps bringing friends to lessons, who keep bringing friends, who keep bringing friends.  I think we're going to have to start a branch down in Castelnuovo, because if things keep going the way they are for another transfer, we'll have about 10 new converts who don't have a car and have to bus 30 minutes to church every Sunday.  But that's a good kind of problem to have, right?

So, you'll never guess where I am right now!  Ok, I'll tell you.  I'm in Firenze again!  (Florence).  I got to scambi (exchange) with Sorella Jacobson, who just got here from the MTC 4 weeks ago.  She speaks fluent German, and yesterday we taught a lesson in German.  I have never studied German, but I understood practically every word!  Erica also felt the Spirit, and when we bore testimony of Joseph Smith, I think the Spirit did the talking.  It was beautiful.  I keep thinking that I have a pretty strong testimony, but then I feel it grow stronger.  I know that it's true.  I know that he saw the vision.  I know that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father appeared to him, called him as a prophet, and that through him was restored the true Gospel of Jesus Christ with all the keys and authority.

Once again, I saw miracles in Firenze.  Something about this city.  I don't know.

Sorella Jacobson had a beautiful study this morning before P-day began.  We talked about the gifts of the Spirit, among other things.  May I recommend a few scriptures to read sometime today? 

Helaman 5:30, 46-47 and Doctrine and Covenants 46:28, 30 & 32

The Holy Ghost is a powerful witness of truth, and even if we have heard a zillion other people say something a gagillion times, when we hear it spoken by the Spirit, in our hearts, in that still, small voice, we can know of a SURETY!  Cultivate your ability to feel the Spirit, and you will find more peace and happiness in your life.  Remember, when we want to speak with God, we pray.  But when we want to receive answers from Him, we read the scriptures, listen to words of Church leaders, and listen to the still, small voice in our hearts. 

I know this is true, and I'm so grateful for this opportunity I have been given, thanks to God, and thanks to all of you who support me and have made it possible for me to be here now!

I love you all!

Keep the faith!

-Sorella Willey

P.S. Photos are:

1. Sorella Laratro, Fratello Bergamini, Charity Daniel, and me

2. Me with my mom's former mission companion, Sorella Bernardi

--
Sorella Willey

elizabeth.willey@myldsmail.net

Sorella Elizabeth Willey

Missione Italiana di Milano

Via Gramsci, 13/4

20090 Opera MI

ITALIA

Modena 2 - Transfer 4 - Week 3

June 8, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

Wow!  We are having some incredible miracles here in Modena!  Thank you all for your prayers and letters of encouragement and news!  It has been a fun week of getting mail, email, etc.!  I wish I could respond to you all, but time and rules will not permit.  But I thoroughly enjoyed reading ever word, and I will definitely pray for you in your schooling, for your weather, for your loved ones, and for YOU!!!  I love you all so much, and I wish I could have you all come and visit Modena! 

But since that isn't really possible, let me tell you a little about what has been going on!  We have a baptism this Saturday with Charity.  She is such a cutie!  She's 9 years old.  Her sister and uncle have been baptized, and now that she's finished catholic school, she has decided that she wants to join the church.  She has wonderful friends in both churches, and it's beautiful to see how supportive everyone is of her and her decision!  We taught her a lesson on prayer, and then she said the most beautiful prayer I've probably ever heard!  Sorella Laratro and I were in tears as she prayed that God would help her prepare to be baptized, to follow His example, and to be able to live with Him forever someday.

We are also teaching a few other people that are INCREDIBLE people!  I just can't believe how blessed I am to be here, now, with this calling.  I see the Lord's hand in the work as we try to follow the counsel of our leaders.  The most important thing that I continue to learn every day, is that I am not the teacher here.  I am here to invite others to learn from the Spirit.  Yesterday we were helping a new convert prepare to give a talk and teach a lesson this weekend.  We read this scripture with her to help her realize her role as a teacher/speaker.  Then as she was reading it, I realized that the scripture was also speaking to me. 

Doctrine and Covenants 50:17-22

Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?  And if it be by some other way it is not of God.  And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?  If it be some other way it is not of God.  Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?  Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoicetogether.

I am being edified by this work as the Spirit comes to testify during the lessons, encounters, etc.  We had a woman stop us on our way home the other night to ask us why we were so happy and if she could learn more about what we do.  Yesterday we taught her about Joseph Smith, the Restoration, and she is reading the Book of Mormon and coming to church this weekend!  I will never be the same.  Never.  I just pray that I can continue to keep the good habits that I am forming here in the field.  I LOVE the scriptures, and I know that my Savior lives.  He loves me, and He loves all of you!

Thank you again for all you do for me!  I pray for you always!

All my love,

-Sorella Willey

elizabeth.willey@myldsmail.net

Sorella Elizabeth Willey

Missione Italiana di Milano

Via Gramsci, 13/4

20090 Opera MI

ITALIA

Modena 2 - Transfer 4 - Week 2

June 1, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

This week we set a couple of baptismal dates, and Charity is getting her baptismal interview on Saturday!  We're so excited, and we met a family of 7 (!) last weekend and taught them a first lesson.  They seem very interested, and we're going back tomorrow night.  Wow!  Che miracolo!  But anyway, we're working really hard and seeing lots of miracles.  Sorella Laratro is so full of love, and we are becoming very close as companions, friends, and sisters. :)  She is helping me with Italian and style, and I am helping her with English and mission rules.  ;)  Actually she is obedient already, but we're making a goal to be obedient with exactness for the rest of the transfer. 

We have been learning so much at the 'addestramenti' (training meetings), and I can't believe how powerful the Spirit can be when everyone in the room is trying to learn by the Spirit.  Wow! 

We watched this video at the end of the meeting yesterday.  I would highly reccomend it! 

http://lds.org/pages/mormon-messages-gallery?lang=eng&query=good+things+come

I know that this gospel, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is truly the way to find true happiness in this life, and happiness forever in the world to come.  I learned so much about how to better help my investigators, companion, and how to better prepare myself every day.  I can promise all of you that if you pray for understanding, peace, to feel the love of God, and He will answer!  Every day, I ask God, "Dio, mi ami?"  (I pray in Italian here), and He always showers me with feelings of love and acceptance and peace.  He's just waiting for us to ask, and He will shower His love upon us when we ask.

I love you all, and I'm so grateful for the example and friendship you all have shown me.  I know this work that I am doing is exactly what I'm supposed to do right now, and though I miss you all, I know that after I have finished, we can all be together again.

Thank you for everything you do for me and for your families and friends!

Keep the faith!

-Sorella Willey

P.S.  Photos are:

1. Me at the Lindt chocolate factory.  Yes, that's a pile of chocolates bigger than my bed.  No, I didn't spend all of my money.  Yes, I did sample some yummy chocolate.

2. Sorella Laratro and me at the Internet Point.  Don't worry, I will be sending some better ones soon, but we keep forgetting to take photos when we're all dolled up on Sunday. :)

--
Sorella Willey

elizabeth.willey@myldsmail.net

Sorella Elizabeth Willey

Missione Italiana di Milano

Via Gramsci, 13/4

20090 Opera MI

ITALIA