First a few little miracles. One day we had this appointment like a little bit far out and it was raining a little I think and we get there right and the people aren't there. And this was like after 3 other bidones that week so we just kind of both started looking at each other like, ummmmmm, ok, well this sucks, yikes, what do you want to do. So we took a bus and were like, ok, we will do some bus finding. And we weren't doing that great if we are being honest. And so we are on the bus and like some little baby angels this mom and her son from English course (who we are trying to work with, she is currently reading the Book of Mormon also her mom is currently reading the Book of Mormon and is through 2 Nephi, can you say wow) get on the bus!! And we were all obviously taking the same buses into English course so we took the bus together and then went and sat down got a snack and just got to talk to them more. And then at the end of English course she said she would want to watch general conference! We will see if they did but wow!!! Thank you, Heavenly Father is all I have to say.
OK, then we had like a real lesson this week with a real person that we are now teaching. Can you say miracle!!! We could've had another bidone but someone is looking out for us and knew I could not handle that this Thursday! We also did an English fast this week (which, like, ummmm... why don't I do that all the time -- we will -- we are working on it) and Anziano B did district council in Italian and wow -- I understood and contributed and just has been a huge miracle to see how much I have progressed in the language. Prayers answered. Thank you all for your support.
Last little miracle -- literally found the BEST gelato that I have ever tried. It's the stracciatella (?) from Spinella -- wow --oh my goodness.
THEN THE BIGGEST MIRACLE -- general conference, am I right?
We still haven't finished watching all the sessions because the timing here is different obviously so we still have to finish 2 talks from Saturday afternoon and all of Sunday afternoon, but I came into conference with specific questions and I have already received strong answers to all of them. How blessed we are to have inspired men and women leading and guiding the church.
Questions because I am sure we will cover more of conference there --
1. What language did you watch conference in?
English, thank goodness!! Like, yes, I am doing well with Italian but I get lost when they tell stories so yes we watched in English.
2. What were your thoughts on conference? Which talk stood out to you the most?
So far I really like the stress on the importance of covenants. I think a lot of times we skip over that. At least as missionaries because we focus on baptism as your first covenant. But it truly is a covenant path and does not end with baptism -- that is just the beginning. I can't say which has been my favorite talk but one that definitely stood out to me was from Tad R McCallister where he talked about the Atonement of Christ. I think I mentioned this last week is that it is something I have been pondering (before bed), but it wasn't one of the questions I had written (my question maybe would've been how and why does the enabling power of the Atonement of Christ work), and he talked exactly about that. Obviously not in the grand detail that I would like, but an answer and a starting place for my studies. An answer to a question that I didn't ask, but God knew I had.
3. What has been your happiest moment this week?
Listening to the prophet. And general conference in general. They are all literally so cute. There's a word that means puppy but also just like you can use it for babies and young kids, and secondo me President Nelson.
4. Tell me about something that made you laugh this week.
Sorella Dand I have been laughing a lot during our prayers. I don't know if that's inappropriate. I have a few examples. 1. She eats during prayers sometimes and then I just lose it. 2. Sometimes our prayers are so ironic, in the sense of like, wow, we really need help and we are asking for this thing and it's funny how bad we need it. I don't know if that made a lot of sense.
5. Did you eat anything new this week?
A fun breakfast we had this morning was dolce from the bakery from down the street so I had something new (the dolce of the saint here) and then Nesquik and orzo. So good. Also something that was new last week but I forgot but have been making a lot is orange cut up with olive oil and salt (and crushed red pepper if you want). We had it at that service project and wow, so good. Also makes you feel boujie.
6. What stood out to you in your studies this week?
I have been really trying to slow down and not make studies a check list and one of the things that I am doing is going through and reading all of the scripture references in Preach My Gospel, and a few things, 1 was 1 Nephi 13, and really all of the scriptures about the apostasy. Just really stood out to me the power of prophecy in the scriptures.
7. How are you progressing with your language skills?
Yes
8. Tell me about a tender mercy you experienced this week.
Above
9. How have you been feeling? Has your energy level improved?
Better and a little better
10. How has someone shown you love this week? How have you shown love to someone else this week?
Being in a 4 sister house there are a lot of opportunities to serve, and me and my companion have taken it upon ourselves to serve the other sorelle by cleaning a lot. Also a cute thing my comp did for me, since I was super super tired and we read in "Adjusting to Missionary Life" that you need to make sure your apartment is free of dust and dirt because apparently it makes you tired, so she started sweeping our room every morning. Awwwww, such a cutie.
11. What's your favorite thing about being in Italy? And what's your favorite thing about the Italian people?
The food is literally so good. I'm trying to actually do Whole 30 this week like hard so will check in next week. Also everything is so beautiful. I had a day where I saw a sign that said like "Made in Sicilia" and I was like, wow, I'm in Sicily and wow, I understand what the people around me are saying. My favorite thing about the people here in south Italy (I've heard the north is different) is how open they are to talk about religion for the most part, and talk in general. And help you when you are lost. Even though Italians literally do not know how to give directions.
12. What can we pray for specifically for you and for the people you're working with?
This energy thing to finish working itself out for me, and I think that they can just feel the difference for the people we work with.
Love you all lots. If you didn't watch conference it's online so there really are no excuses. We really are so blessed and have direct guidance. Hello -- listen up! One of my goals is to start studying the talks as soon as they come out and invite everyone to do the same!! Study!!! Pray!! Find answers!! It's the gospel y'all!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
sorella gisseman
Notes from a 21 day Book of Mormon challenge....
The sweet sister from English course
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