Cuneo - Transfer 11 - Week 7

April 18, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

 

Yesterday, as we were closing English class, we invited some of our new class members to listen to a message about the Restoration.   I passed Slla Forbes the bit about Joseph Smith.  When it came time to share the 1st vision, she stopped and passed it back to me.  Not thinking much of it, I began.  As I said those beautiful words in Italian, I realized that this was likely my last time to share the 1st vision in Italian as a missionary to my dear Italian people in a chapel in Italy.  My mind went back to other times I had shared the 1st vision and how important this story and this event has become to me and how important it is to the whole world.  I stared to cry, hoping that Sorella Forbes might pick me up and fill in the rest so I could freely let the tears flow.  But she let me finish it.  I got extra power from above.  The Spirit was so strong and confirmed the truth of those words.  Afterwards, when everyone left the church I told Sorella Forbes everything that was going through my mind.  She said, "I got a feeling that I should let you share the 1st vision, so that's why I stopped."  After all the different testimonies that I've received of this restoration, this last memory will forever be in my mind.  The class was small, but included a member referral who works with our relief society president, her sister, a less-active member who has becomne dear to my heart, and a sweet gentleman who we met in his shop a few weeks ago when we had to make a stamp for the apartment.  It was the smallest English class we've had in weeks, but those people were handpicked, and I am finally beginning to understand what God means when he says that the worth of EVERY soul is great in His sight.  I love these people so much!  God really has a plan for each of His children, and will make all things work together for our good so we can have the most number of chances to repent and come unto Christ.

 

I have been SO blessed by my companions, and Sorella Forbes has been the GEMinist GEM ever!  She's been so sweet to listen to my rantings, fears, excitements, and just putting up with me.  She always gives me a hug when I need it.  She is going to see so many miracles in her mission.  I only hope I have been able to be a good example to her.  I'm so far from perfect, but she has been very forgiving.  Luckily she came already trained from the MTC. Yesterday we also received an AMAZING package from her mother.  We got personal stationary, root beer candy, and lots of really fun other delightful gifts that I am SO excited to use!  I'm so grateful to all the people I have met and the people I will get to meet thanks to this mission!

    

SO many miracles have happened these last few days.  It really has been wonderful to see so many fruits after some very difficult planting.  As we worked so hard to teach 20 lessons, the other mission battle-cry, God led us to the people who were willing to listen, searching for the truth, and ready to accept the Gospel.  There are many families and golden people we've met who accept baptism on their first meeting, and who really are searching for the truth.  The miracle is that I have finally figured out my real calling in life.  This mission really isn't just 1 1/2 years.  It is for life.  I was anxious about going home all this transfer, but now, though I wish I could continue in this Italy Milano Mission for the rest of my life, I am at peace.  Well, I do burst into uncontrollable tears every couple of hours, but I've heard that's normal for a Sorella.  :)  I am ready to continue on and keep bringing souls unto Christ by being an excellent visiting teacher, sister, daughter, friend, and all the other callings God has for me in the future.  I've really learned what it means to be a great ward member/member missionary, and I'm excited to go home and do it!

 

I read 1 Corinthians 9 this morning, and I was again hit by the same feelings that hit me when I listened to Elder Holland say that "Preach My Gospel" is the way to convert not just people we meet and teach, but US.  We who preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ must LIVE the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  If we come home from our missions the same as we were before, no matter what happened or what successes we had, we have missed the mark.  I am finally beginning to understand what that means.  There is so much to learn, and I LOVE it!  This gospel has truly changed me, and it can change EVERYONE who lets it.  I'm not near where I need to be, but I'm a little closer than I was before.

 

I also read recently in Enos a passage that has become dear to my heart.  Verses 26 and 27 read, "And I saw that I must soon go down to my grave, having been wrought upon by the power of God that I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ.  And I have declared it in all my days, and have rejoiced in it above that of the world.  And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest.  And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father."

 

Thank you all for your beautiful emails, letters, photos, and encouragement in these last few weeks!  I have been a crazy, trying to make everything perfect for the next missionary to take my place.  STILL SO MUCH TO DO!  But now, I have to go home and pack. 

 

I know that this is the Lord's work.  I know that this is His Church, His Gospel, and that His prophet leads and guides the Church today.  I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and the fortitude it brings in my life.  I know that these inspired words are truly written by God for our day.  The only way to really know, is to read, pray, and put into practice it's teachings.  I am confident that Jesus Christ really is mighty to save, and that through His Atonement, we can one day enter into the presence of God.  I know that He is our Redeemer and the Son of God.

 

Until we meet very soon, may God be with you!

 

Keep the faith!  Hurrah for Israel!

 

With all the love in my heart,

-Sorella Willey

 

 

 

 

--
Sorella Willey

elizabeth.willey@myldsmail.net

Sorella Elizabeth Willey

Missione Italiana di Milano

Via Gramsci, 13/4

20090 Opera MI

ITALIA

Cuneo - Transfer 11 - Week 6

April 11, 2012


Dear Family and Friends,

There is so much to say!  First, I'll tell you about a couple of miracles.

At 8:30 on Sunday night, we were a little discouraged after doing 3
hours of knocking on doors and getting upset or strange looks.... and
being totally rejected by everyone.  We were about 20 minutes from
home.  We got our bikes, rode to a T in the road, and prayed.  We knew
that someone was waiting for us, but didn't know where.  We knew it
wasn't going to be someone we met at their home either, so we promised
God that we would talk to whoever it was that He put into our path.
When we said amen, Sorella Forbes said, "Let's go to Piazza Europa."
I've always been blessed with companions who recognize personal
revelation. :)  We headed in that direction, and ended up taking a
different route so we could try and talk to someone who ended up being
drunk.  We moved on.  Then, as we neared the Piazza, we saw Desmond.
As usual I said, "There he is!  Let's talk to him!"  And then Sorella
GEMed us and him by asking if he'd ever seen the Book of Mormon.  For
nearly 15 minutes we told him about the Restoration, the Book of
Mormon, and he expressed his desire to come closer to Christ. He also
said he had been searching for years because of something his dying
100 year old father had said to him a few years before.  We promised
him a Book of Mormon, and the next day, he accepted a baptismal invite
at a lesson in his home with one of our new converts, Daniel (who
speaks French and Italian, but bore his testimony in English!!!).
Desmond is SO prepared!  I love my Africans!

On Monday night, we were again discouraged a little.  I don't know why
I keep letting Satan in to discourage!   We had gotten 3 cancellations
in a row, and it was just starting to rain.  I decided to try
something I had never tried before.  We said a prayer and thanked God
for the cancellations because we knew that it meant someone else was
in great need of us tonight.  Three palazzi later, we knocked on a
door that said, "The blood of Jesus covers this house."  We were a
little worried about who might answer, but knocked anyway.  In very
broken Italian, Alex said, "Non capisco Italiano."  We asked him what
he spoke, and he said, "Only English!"  We said, "You are so lucky
because we are here to teach you about Jesus Christ, and we speak
English!  Can we share this message with you for 10 minutes?"  He let
us right in, and his wife, Rebecca (Vicky), a little wary at first,
welcomed us in.  After we prayed, we began talking about how God loves
us, how He is our Father, and then as we talked about prophets, Alex
said, "I was reading the Bible when you rang the doorbell."  He
expressed that he was ashamed for the life he lived in the Philipines
before, but that when he arrived here in Italy 3 months ago, he was
determined to start a new life. We shared the story of Joseph Smith,
and they read the 1st vision in Tagalog from the pamphlets that we
just happened to have.  We asked them how they felt, and they said,
"Happy!  This is the happiest we have ever felt.  We have so much hope
that we can know Jesus Christ better!"  At the end, we invited them to
kneel and pray.  After the prayer, Vicky, in tears, said, "That is the
first time I've ever heard my husband pray."  They accepted a
baptismal invite, and tonight we're giving them a Book of Mormon in
Tagalog.

There is so much more to share, but we're again running out of time on
the computers.  I am so grateful for the chance I have to be here now.
 I am learning so much, changing so much, and God is blessing me with
all kinds of tender mercies.  Every day, I get a little anxious or
upset, nervous, afraid.  Then when I pray, God sends me a sign,
something to encourage me, and lets me know that He loves me and that
He'll take care of me.

Yesterday morning, we had a cancellation.  We felt we should make
phonecalls instead of going out because it was raining.  But we both
were getting emotional, and . . . we needed chocolate.  Most of you
women reading this understand.  :)

We prayed that we could be time efficient, went to the grocery store
accross the street, and picked out some Easter chocolate that was on
sale.  As we were looking at it, a song came on the radio.  It wasn't
a church song, but it was a song that for Sorella Forbes meant SO
much!  She gasped and said, "I needed to hear that!"  I smiled,
silently wishing that one of "my" songs would come on the radio too.
As I put back some of the chocolate, knowing I didn't need QUITE that
much, I started to hear the saxaphones and trumpets play the intro of
Frank Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight."  I looked at Slla Forbes,
and then had to turn away as my eyes exploded in tears.  I hadn't
heard that in over 1 1\2 years.  It's probably my all-time favorite.
I used to listen to it when I needed a boost.  And to me, that was God
saying, "I love you just how you are, and everything will be ok.  I
know you're worried about finishing your mission next week, but I have
things for you to do at home too.  Don't worry, I'm taking care of
you.  I know you.  I know how to make you happy, and I will make all
your dreams come true as you finish your mission with all your heart."

As we left the grocery store, chocolate in hand, we were even more
anxious to do everything possible to make this week successful.   Yes,
I'm pretty stressed out, but I have much less anxiety for the future.
I know that God really does know me personally, and He knows YOU
personally too!  I'm so grateful that you are all in my life, and such
great examples to me!

I was reading in 1 Nephi 22 today, and verses 9-12 really stuck out to
me.  God really is making His gospel known to all nations.  I am
learning so much about how I can be a part of that!  Not just as a
missionary, though.  I am realizing that missionaries have a very
important work, but it is also limited.  Our job is to teach.  But as
members, our job is to invite, befriend, support, encourage, love,
serve, and introduce the missionaries to teach our friends!  Yes,
missionaries have a very important role. But members are really the
key!  I'd like to invite each of you to think about one person who you
can introduce to the missionaries.  If you can't think of anyone,
pray.  Usually the first name that comes to mind is the one you should
invite.  If nobody comes to mind, make a new friend!  :)  That's what
I'm going to do when I get home.  This message makes me too happy to
keep it to myself.

Not all of you are members of the Church who read this email.  I love
you so much, and I will love you no matter what you do.  I'd like to
invite you to meet with the missionaries once to listen to what they
have to say.  Pray to ask God if it is the right thing to do.  Pay
attention to the feelings in your heart.  If it is a good thing, and a
right thing, (and I know it is), then you'll feel it in your heart and
mind.  If you feel that feeling after meeting with them the first
time, I'd like to invite you to continue to meet with them and hear
everything they have to say.  But the most important thing you can do
is ask questions (Pray) and read the Book of Mormon.  That is only the
way to really know.

I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World, that He is
guiding this work, and that He loves us all!   I know the Book of
Mormon is the word of God, and that God answers our prayers.

I love you all!  Thank you so much for everything!

I'll see you soon!

Keep the faith,
-Sorella Willey

--
Sorella Willey
elizabeth.willey@myldsmail.net

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

Cuneo - Transfer 11 - Week 5

April 4, 2012


Dear Family and Friends,

This has been an exhausting week!  We have been going CRAZY and
literally teaching everyone that we can possibly talk to!  We've
probably gotten more rejections this week than in my entire life, but
we've also met lots of very beautiful people.  Last night we met a
family from Peru, and we'll be going back to see them on Saturday.
Throughout the week, we've seen lots of disappointments, but we've
really changed in the process.

Sorella Forbes has found the inner bold and couragious missionary, and
she literally talks to everyone possible.  It's kind of a game now
that I say, "Oooo, we should talk to them!"  And then she says, "OK!"
and then talks to them.  It's so wonderful, and she also encourages me
to be bolder.  I love Sorella Forbes!

Friday night we had both felt that we should go to a specific park
(for the first time ever) first thing in the morning, and find people
to teach.  Saturday morning we went, ended up being able to teach
Wafia and Adil, and then as we were closing up the with Adil, we saw a
beautiful miracle.  Marco, one of our investigators, whom we have been
trying to reach for nearly 2 weeks, walked up with his son and said
hi!  You might say that all these little events are the miracles. They
are miracles.  How could we have known that Marco would be at the park
at just that time?  We were planning on a last resort of sending a
text message from a pay phone. It was a miracle that we were able to
see Clara and Giuseppe the last day before they went on vacation.  It
was a miracle that something that one sister said in a 2 minute
presentation changed my mission and my life forever.  The real
miracle, though, is how we have changed this week.

It was so much easier before to find people to teach.  I used to take
it for granted almost.  But now we have to give our all, and more, and
the result is that we have much more trust in God, and He blesses us
with many more tender mercies.

Well, I guess I'm going to wrap it up here.  I don't have much more to
say.  I've been reading lots of conference talks this week, and
listening to more!  We got to see the Saturday Afternoon session and
Sunday Morning session, but unfortunately we didn't get to see
Saturday Morning or Sunday Afternoon.  Well, we saw a little of Sat AM
in Spanish and French.  And a few seconds in Romanian, but the
broadcast was having issues in Italian.   I can't wait to find out
which temples have been annouced and hear all the rest of the talks!

I keep starting the Book of Mormon over!  Not because of the Isaiah
chapters, but because there are SO many lessons to learn from Nephi!
I've probably recommended this verse a gazillion times, but it is SO
beautiful and SO true!  1 Nephi 10:19.  If we truly seek, we shall
find.  I LOVED Elder Scott's talk about revelation, (at least that's
what I learned from it).  One thing really hit me... he said if we are
thinking of others we are more likely to receive revelation that if we
are thinking only of ourselves.  Heavenly father will 'piggyback'
blessings for us as we try to help others.  And at the end he said,
"Revelation is a sacred RESPONSIBILITY and blessing."  We ought to
receive revelation.  We MUST receive revelation!  What a blessing to
have the fulness of the Gospel and living prophets who can boldly and
safely guide us to God.

I know that God is just SO excited to hear from us every day!  Prayer
is becoming so much more personal to me these weeks.  I really feel
that the more I am willing to share with my Heavenly Father, the more
He is able to share with me!

I love you all, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Keep the faith!
-Sorella Willey

P.S.  Packages at this point would be better not sent.  Customs are SO
high now adays, that it's cheaper to send $200 to your missionary than
to mail a package of $20 worth of clothes, candy, personal items,
etc..  By the time it reaches the missionary, if it reaches the
missionary, customs could be up to $150.  Plus the price of mailing
it, plus any possible charge that Italy can come up with.  The country
is in serious debt, and they're trying to solve it with customs.
Thank you all for your letters and packages sent throughout the
mission!  They were happily received, and I really appreciate all of
them! And all of YOU!!!

--
Sorella Willey
elizabeth.willey@myldsmail.net

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

More photos

March 28, 2012

1. The group of all the sorelle

.




















2. Sorella Willey (me) with Sorella Wolfgramm

Cuneo - Transfer 11 - Week 4

March 28, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

I will mostly be sending pictures, and I'm also attaching some of the miracles that we saw this week from my letter to President Wolfgramm.  Yesterday we were in Milano all day with ALL that's right, ALL of the Sisters\Sorelle in the mission!  It was SO neat to learn from their experiences and hear all of the miracles happening around the mission.  And I got to take some fun pictures...  The first is me with my Jacob and Joseph... that is 'first and lastborn in the wilderness.' Or literally Sorella Hanks and Sorella Forbes.  Then the 2nd is a photo of all of my companions (except for Sorella Noteware and Sorella Snodgrass who already are finished with their missions).  SO much fun!  I have learned so much from EVERYONE here, and wow, has it changed me!

We have been being very specific about who we want to find this week, and God has been putting these people in our path.  Ever since we got back into our city last Wednesday, we have been faithfully doing Red Zone (finding work from 6-8PM), and every day we run into a person that we planned to meet the night before.  What really got us going was on Thursday night when we had planned earlier to meet a woman in a purple sweater, and the first door opened was a woman (same age that we planned) with a purple sweater.  She actually listed to our message, asked for he address of the church, and took a pamphlet.  We were a little sad that she wouldn't give her number or a follow-up appointment, but she said that she would read about he restoration for sure, and that "who knows?", one day she might come to church.   Then we proceeded to get in, get in, and finally that night, we met Giuseppe and Clara.  Clara (85)  fell in love with us instantly, but Giuseppe (82), was a little hostile.  We were a little worried that he might throw us out, but when we went back for the return appoitnement on Saturday, he LOVED and ATE UP EVERY WORD!!! He dived into reading the Book of Mormon, and then rode his bike to church the next morning!  Unfortunately, he was a little scared away by the members so he left, but he said he'd try again the next week, and he's already read all the title page, intro, Testamonies, and explanations.  When we saw him on Monday, he said he's just finally starting on 1 Nephi 1, and he said, "Once I start reading, I just don't want to stop." 

God is really preparing these people, and as long as we turn to Him, having done all that we can do, He will help us to find success and those who are searching.  Sorella Wolfgramm, yesterday in the training, as a last minute thought, refered to prayer and having a plan.  She said, "When Nephi was tied up, he didn't pray that God would break the bands for him.  He prayed that God would give him strength so HE could break the bands that held him."  I know that we can do anything that the Lord commands us to do, but we also must DO something and have a plan to receive His power unto the fulfilling of it.  He gives us agency, and we must USE this agency and ACT in order to receive the promise, the testimony, and anything else that will bless our lives.

I love you all, and I hope you enjoy the pictures!

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

Cuneo - Transfer 11 - Week 3

March 21, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

 

I apologize for the blank email last week!  If the email had had its text, it would have talked about concert that we were able to put on in the church last weekend, my trip back to Verona to get my 'permesso di soggiorno,' and meeting with an old contact who had read over half the Book of Mormon and just happened to stop us on the street.  You would have heard how my companion has still been sick, but how we had a miracle where a previous investigator from the sisters here in August left his name and number in the door of the church because he'd read the Book of Mormon and wanted to learn more.  I probably would have recommended some scriptures in Mosiah 5 that have really touched me and changed the way I see EVERYTHING and I'd have told you about how 2 Sundays ago the bishopric anounced that I was giving a talk in Sacrament meeting.  Luckily we came that day, even though Slla Forbes was not feeling well, and Slla Wolfgramm had ordered us to stay in all day.  I looked Fratella DeStefanis in the eyes with a little horror in my eyes as he sat down and shrugged me a "Sorry... I forgot to ask you.  You can also just bear your testimony." 

 

Luckily, the day before in studies we had talked a lot about repentance and read through the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" in Preach My Gospel.  As I stood up, I had my mini PMG in Italian, my study journal and planner, and my Italian triple, and really had no idea what I would say.  Just a couple of scriptures jotted down in my planner.  I don't actually remember what I said, but I remember what I felt as I read from Mosiah 5 and repentance in Preach My Gospel.  I don't know how long it was, but I was so grateful for the opportunity to rely wholly on the Spirit and read again from the inspired words of the prophets.

 

So that's a little bit of what you would have read last week.  This week was BEAUTIFUL!!!  Really crazy, but really beautiful. 

 

We went to GENOVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  on our way home from a training meeting in Alessandria on Monday.  We had a blitz or scambio... in English I think the word is exchange... with the Sorelle there.  We got to go out with each other's companions and teach their investigators and find people with them.  I got to see where my dear trainer, Sorella Noteware, started her mission, where Christopher Columbus was inspired to find the New World, and where my older brother and role model, Anthony, spent his first 5 transfers.  We even read from 1 Nephi 13 during language study in honor of Columbus,the 'great and abominable church,' and the Book of Mormon.  :)  We saw some great miracles with a few of their investigators, and found some really great people who they will be seeing later on this week.   I've been wanting to go to Genova my whole mission.  I am so grateful that even in this last transfer, when I had given up hope, God gave me that tender mercy, and we were able to feel His hand guiding us through the streets that neither we nor the two sisters brand new to the area knew. 

 

Oh, yeah, we also ate focaccia and pesto.  YUMMMMY!!!

 

Then, we came back to Cuneo!!!!!

 

We feel like we haven't been in Cuneo hardly at all.  Between being sick, going to trainings, permesso appointments, scambios, and district meetings in Verona, Milano, Torino, Alessandria, and Genova, we were shocked that getting off the train it even looked familiar last night.

 

We're ever so committed to keep strong, find, teach, baptize, invite others to come unto Christ, and be the representatives of Christ in our city.  Then we realized today was P-day..   When do we get to see OUR investigators??  But luckily, the Lord will help us in that.  We just have to keep being as obedient as we can be, and do everything we can, and then the Lord will guide us to do and say what needs to be done and said.

 

My Sorella Forbes ***GEMed me this morning when we were planning lessons for today.  I felt pretty confident about my plans for the first 2 investigators. But for Rosy, our almost baptismal date, I had nothing written on the lesson plan, but pages and pages in the study journal.  I knew I needed to find some scriptures to back up all the information, and then I also knew I'd need to shorten up all the info as well.  I was a little overwhelmed.  I peeked over at Slla Forbes to see if she was ready for Comp study.  I was a little frustrated.  We've actually planned this lesson 3 times and then had to cancel or felt like we needed to teach something else at the last minute.  When I said, "Ok, I've only got ideas for Donatella and Rosaria.  What have you got for Rosy?"  She proceeded to read me scriptures that answered all of the questions and confirmed what the Spirit has been trying to tell me for the past 3 weeks!  She led me to the Bible Dictionary, Bible and Book of Mormon and literally taught me exactly what I was looking for AND what Rosy is looking for!  What a GEM!  I love her so much!

 

We really do have the Lord's hand in our work- His work.  We see beautiful miracles in all sorts of ways, and truly feel His presence as we read, pray, and try our best to be obedient.

 

I have very little time left in this email.... But I wanted to thank you all for your letters, packages, and emails this week.  I have received so much mail this week, more than my entire mission combined, and I'm so grateful to feel your support in this last month here.  Please pray for me to stay focussed and continue to have the guidance and physical strength to endure to the end.  I'm very tired, a little discouraged, and trying hard to make the most of every last minute I have here.  Thank you again for your prayers, support, and EVERYTHING that you do and have done for me every day!

 

I just want to leave you with a couple of ideas about covenants and the need to make them with God in order to receive blessings. No time to explain, but here are the scriptures:

Mosiah 3:17-19

Mosiah 2:20-24

Mosiah 5:5-9

Moroni 7:33-34

Ephesians 1:13-14

Bible DIctionary 'Earnest'

2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5

Mosiah 4:2-12

Moroni 8:25-26

 

I've been working on this topic for a while... A LONG TIME, and only this morning when we were studying for Rosy did I get the spiritual and scriptural confirmation of all the answers.  Obviously not ALL the answers yet, but I've got a lot to chew on for a while. :)  And now you do too.  Hopefully these words will touch you and help you to feel the Love and excitement for the Gospel that they gave for me!

 

I love you all, and a happy March 21st to you all!

 

Keep the faith,

-Sorella Willey

 

*** G.E.M. is our mission's battle cry.  It stands for Grow Every Missionary, and means that we as Milan Italy Missionaries are to do everything we can to always be thinking of those around us.  Especially our companion.  Each week, we report a GEM moment in our email to president, and that paragraph was a copy and paste from my email this week.

 

--
Sorella Willey

elizabeth.willey@myldsmail.net

Sorella Elizabeth Willey

Missione Italiana di Milano

Via Gramsci, 13/4

20090 Opera MI

ITALIA