Elephant

Hey all you people. Hey all you people (spongebob reference-thats for you Lynz, Phil, Hen, Jane)

It has definitely been a week of nothing and everything. Sorella Bair was sick for a lot of the week, so there was a lot of staying in. We were finally able to get out to work on Friday again. It is AMAZING the difference in happiness level when you are doing the Lords work. The work is so happy!

Since Sorella Bair was sick we had to cancel our appointment with Luigi. Sorella Amato was furious since this was the third time cancelling (not our faults totally), so she called to express her opinions. Well I happened to answer the phone and I had an italian woman yell in my ear for 13 minutes. There were several times that I had to hold the phone away from my ear (in the meantime thinking to myself...."Where am I? What is happening??") On top of that, she speaks like a million miles an hour, so Sorella Bair would feed me lines to say. It was probably the scariest thing I have ever encountered. I felt like I had had a heart attack or something. OOh and it was in the middle of personal study, so I immediately turned to 3 Nephi 17 to help boost myself following the phonecall. Phew. 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were awesome. Friday, we went with some of the women from the American sigonella branch to Annas house to learn how to make REAL italian pizza. It was so fun. It was definitely one of those nights where you lose track of time heh heh. (yeah, definitely didnt make that 930 curfew) BUT, we had the senior couple, the Clarks with us so it was totally justified. I havent mentioned the Clarks yet. They are so wonderful, they are like our little grandparents. They say "I love you" at the end of EVERY phone call. I never thought I would be saying that on phone call on my mission. Sometimes I feel weird saying it to them, but what the hay. Yolo. Hah Sorella Bair and I get a kick out of it. 

The night went so well with Anna. She is italian, speaks english really well. Elder Clark offered and gave a blessing on their house. Anna and her husband were so touched. In fact, her husband hugged Elder Clark afterwards! (not the typical european cheek kisses) but a real genuine american hug. It was so touching. The Spirit was so powerful throughout the blessing, especially as Sorella Bair translated into italian for Annas husband. We plan to teach them this week. They are golden!

Saturday we visited the Alonzos. (they are a less active family) and we brought Pina along with us. We taught about the Restoration and how we got an answer that the church was true. Pina shared her conversion story (which was within the last 2 yrs). Man, was it powerful! She said how she read part of the Book of Mormon and then was asked to be baptized. She did not feel ready, she felt like she really needed to know and read everything to make that decision. One day she was reading in the Book of Mormon and it had said something about how we dont need to know everything to know that something is true. She said how the words were so personalized to her and were an exact answer to her prayer. She claims that to this day, she cant find where that is written in the Book of Mormon. She knows that it was an answer from God. It was so powerful and it was a testimony to me that the Book of Mormon really is from God. It is a beautiful, true book and we can become closer to God everytime we read it. It is a book of 531 pgs and yet there are 1000s of revelations that can be found within it. 

I love the Book of Mormon. For my personal study lately I have been starting my study with a question ie. How can I be a better missionary? How can I involve the Spirit more in my teaching?) It is almost humorous that I am quickly given the answers to my questions within that chapter. I am always guided to read the right chapter and find the guidance that I am seeking. Now I just need the whole world to understand this concept:)


Sunday was such a miracle! Wesley (the military guy we met on the bus) came to church! Haha. He had a good time, he fit in with the branch members, he enjoyed himself at the linger longer while playing beautiful piano background music for us all, AND he wants to come back next week! As we were leaving I went to say goodbye, while asking him how he liked church. "Yeah. I liked it." and without me even mentioning anything he said, "I think I will come next week too". HOW COOL. We hope to teach him this week.

ps.We totally had real live brick oven pizza at a members house last week. They OWN a brick oven. Haha where am I?

Love,
Sorella Sam