Oh hey guys.
Dropped
So this week. We just had a lot of people not show up to their appointments, and Simona who had a bap date last week sent us a text and dropped us, and then we dropped a ton of investigators because no one is progressing.
So we did a lot of finding this week. Starting from the ground up again.
But I keep saying to myself, at least I'm finding in Rome and not in Cagliari because we don't see all the same people every day. Except sometimes we do.
Bonding
Sometimes we will be on the bus and someone will walk up to me and say, "HEY! How are you?!" and I have to think quickly to remember what I already talked to them about and try and talk to them about the gospel again.
Then they say something like "Don't you remember? I said I'm really not interested at all.." So then we both end up just complaining about the rain and the traffic and the crazy people on the bus. It's really easy to bond with Italians, you just have to hate all the same things and ask them how to make lasagna.
Forgotten History
But despite all the finding and missed appointments, it was a good week. We went to the Vatican with Carol on Monday which was fun.. but also stressful because I remembered that I'm studying art history in college and that I've forgotten everything and I'm going to have to do a lot of makeup studying when I get back.
Tuesday we had a lesson with our cute investigator named Sofia. The anziani passed her to us last week because she is a single 60 year old lady who lives by herself so they can't visit her.
But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. (D&C 9:8)
Burning Testimony
She is going through menopause and every time she feels the spirit she starts to get really hot and hyperventilates. So we invited her to be baptized on the 5th of April and she started to freak out and gets really hot and starts fanning her face.
It reminded me of that time when Grandma ate that really hot pepper in the Chinese food and tears came to her eyes and she kept saying "oooh, oooh, oooh!" and we had to try and keep the spirit and not laugh.
She didn't accept the date just yet, but we met with her again this week and re-taught her the restoration. We cleared some things up for her and she is feeling a lot more confident about baptism.
But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. (D&C 9:8)
Burning Testimony
She is going through menopause and every time she feels the spirit she starts to get really hot and hyperventilates. So we invited her to be baptized on the 5th of April and she started to freak out and gets really hot and starts fanning her face.
It reminded me of that time when Grandma ate that really hot pepper in the Chinese food and tears came to her eyes and she kept saying "oooh, oooh, oooh!" and we had to try and keep the spirit and not laugh.
She didn't accept the date just yet, but we met with her again this week and re-taught her the restoration. We cleared some things up for her and she is feeling a lot more confident about baptism.
Our Findings
Wednesday we had our only two appointments cancelled. So we did a lot of finding..
Wednesday we had our only two appointments cancelled. So we did a lot of finding..
Thursday, we did more finding.
Friday we did a scambio with the sisters in Ostia which was fun.
It was fun to be with a young missionary again because they are still really energetic and will talk to anyone.. Especially the old homeless men with no teeth. It's funny because after a while you start ruling people out - or at least are wary of them.
Take Care
I know it's bad and you probably shouldn't, but I just think "The Church has enough people to take care of; Italy needs people who can take care of the Church"..
Anyway, we were on the bus and this sorella starts talking with these two gypsy kids. Afterwards, she is like "Sorella, they are so golden!" & anyone who has ever tried to teach gypsies here in Rome knows it's not a good idea.
Sorella Wiltbank and Sorella Kimball in Ostia
doing language study at the beach
It was fun to be with a young missionary again because they are still really energetic and will talk to anyone.. Especially the old homeless men with no teeth. It's funny because after a while you start ruling people out - or at least are wary of them.
Take Care
I know it's bad and you probably shouldn't, but I just think "The Church has enough people to take care of; Italy needs people who can take care of the Church"..
Anyway, we were on the bus and this sorella starts talking with these two gypsy kids. Afterwards, she is like "Sorella, they are so golden!" & anyone who has ever tried to teach gypsies here in Rome knows it's not a good idea.
We had an appointment Friday evening with a lady named Assunta. She was a referral from some members and we did an FHE with her and her husband who is an inactive member and she agreed to take the lessons. She is a sweet older lady who sings opera and paints.
Example
We also had English course and we asked Luca to give the spiritual thought about his testimony and how he gained a testimony. It was one of the best testimonies I've heard. He was so sincere and it was great for the rest of the students to see his example.
Example
We also had English course and we asked Luca to give the spiritual thought about his testimony and how he gained a testimony. It was one of the best testimonies I've heard. He was so sincere and it was great for the rest of the students to see his example.
Saturday we... did more finding.
looking like Spring in Rome
The good thing about finding is that you meet really cool people and you have a lot of chances to teach and bear testimony in smaller ways. You really feel guided by the spirit to know what to talk about and how to find out peoples needs.
Questions
For example I met this really cute 23 year old girl from Denmark. She is here studying Italian and we started chatting while waiting for the metro. Obviously we started talking about the church and she started asking all the normal questions that people think about Mormons like, "Are you allowed to use electricity?" and "How many wives does your dad have?"
Questions
For example I met this really cute 23 year old girl from Denmark. She is here studying Italian and we started chatting while waiting for the metro. Obviously we started talking about the church and she started asking all the normal questions that people think about Mormons like, "Are you allowed to use electricity?" and "How many wives does your dad have?"
It's cute because they all say it in a curious way and try not to be offensive by asking. Then they still don't believe us when I say we don't practice polygamy anymore.
But this girl was telling me about how shocked she was that someone would leave everything behind to go talk to people about Jesus Christ and his church, because in Denmark people only get baptized so they can get money from relatives. After a while she started to really open up and told me that she didn't know if she believed in God.
Power of Prayer
She isn't an atheist, but she just has never had a relationship with God. I asked her if she had ever prayed in her life, and she said "no," so I invited her to pray and taught her how to do it. It was just a sweet little experience, but really powerful to me. Who knows if she even will try to pray, but even small experiences like helping someone know how to open that relationship with God through prayer is such a meaningful and fulfilling opportunity.
But this girl was telling me about how shocked she was that someone would leave everything behind to go talk to people about Jesus Christ and his church, because in Denmark people only get baptized so they can get money from relatives. After a while she started to really open up and told me that she didn't know if she believed in God.
Power of Prayer
She isn't an atheist, but she just has never had a relationship with God. I asked her if she had ever prayed in her life, and she said "no," so I invited her to pray and taught her how to do it. It was just a sweet little experience, but really powerful to me. Who knows if she even will try to pray, but even small experiences like helping someone know how to open that relationship with God through prayer is such a meaningful and fulfilling opportunity.
Destiny
We met a lot of other really cool people this week too. There is a Buddist bus driver that we run into ALL the time. The other day he was driving the bus on the other side of the street and we were waiting at the bus stop and he stopped the bus and stuck half of his body out of the window to yell "DESTINY UNITES US AGAIN".. so cute, the bus driver.
We met a lot of other really cool people this week too. There is a Buddist bus driver that we run into ALL the time. The other day he was driving the bus on the other side of the street and we were waiting at the bus stop and he stopped the bus and stuck half of his body out of the window to yell "DESTINY UNITES US AGAIN".. so cute, the bus driver.
Last night we were coming home and there was a lady parked in the middle of the street because her engine had died... so we ask her if we can help push her car. She was REALLY skeptical that we would be able to push her car. but we did. and it started rolling down the hill and she just hopped in and yelled "VADO!" and she was off.
Also it was WOMEN'S DAY in Italy and Jomar got us flowers.
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and Sunday we did more finding!
We are really hoping to find a family this week! Send us prayers..
No Sacrifice
Oh I almost forgot. We were really sad because Simona dropped us this week and she had a bap date and everything for this month. We asked if we could just see her one more time and talk about it.
So we sacrificed pday this morning to meet with her and it went REALLY well. The spirit was really strong and she said she wants to keep meeting and keep reading and keep coming to church. it was a real miracle.
Oh I almost forgot. We were really sad because Simona dropped us this week and she had a bap date and everything for this month. We asked if we could just see her one more time and talk about it.
So we sacrificed pday this morning to meet with her and it went REALLY well. The spirit was really strong and she said she wants to keep meeting and keep reading and keep coming to church. it was a real miracle.
Next week we are REALLY busy. We have a scambio with Rome 3 and then on Friday President asked all the ZL and STL in Rome to do a full day of finding in this little town in the Ostia zone named Latina to see if it's ready to be opened to missionary work.
The week AFTER we are having Elder Keauren come to the mission and they are sending all the ZL and STL on a road trip down to Catania for a special capi conference with him. So cool. I'm really excited to see Sicily because I don't think Ill ever get to serve down there. anyway. until next week!
The week AFTER we are having Elder Keauren come to the mission and they are sending all the ZL and STL on a road trip down to Catania for a special capi conference with him. So cool. I'm really excited to see Sicily because I don't think Ill ever get to serve down there. anyway. until next week!
LOVE YOU
WLFR,
Sorella O'Connor
(Email Sent - March 10, 2014)
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