New Transfer

So Thursday was transfer day. That day was spent in the train station, last minute packing, and hard goodbyes. Sorella Fife got here safely! We got her a pass for the metro and we saw Blessing that night. Blessing had her surgery. She didn't even tell us! But she seems to be alright. I know that she has pain though so I wish she would call us so we could help more. 

Friday we did weekly planning and I had fun describing how great Cimiano is to Sorella Fife. Then we went to the duomo with Gaia to meet Sorella Williams' family. Patti brought me some peanut butter from America. Skippy brand and crunchy. I'm so grateful! It was so nice of her! It was fun to finally meet the family I've heard so much about! After that we had to go back to the area of our apartment because there was a strike so no buses, trains, metro, or airplanes were going. They had a short time from 3-6 where they went but after that or before that nothing. So then we did some pass bys and walked all over our neighborhood area to try and find people from our ward list. 

Saturday we played soccer. Everything normal. We had a Relief Society activity that afternoon where everyone brought a treat and they were encouraged to bring a friend as well. There were some new faces so that's always good! We talked about developing our talents. It was kind of funny because one lady was a complete savage. After half the people had gone around saying one of their talents, she was ready to say that none of the things that anyone has said were true talents because they weren't unique and anyone could learn. Haha. Relief Societies are the best. There's always someone. The activity was a success and it made me happy because the president had put a lot of work into it. Marilena came too! She came to the baptism of a little boy in the ward. It was so good for her and she seemed very touched. It reaffirmed to her that this is something she wants for herself. After being full of post-baptism pasta and even more dessert we went home. 

Sunday was normal. Gaia came to church of course. She's been so patient with us running around. She went to her Sunday school class without us because we were needed elsewhere. Sorella Fife met Tina and Mahesh because we ate with them after church. Then we saw the Lastra family that night. They are so cute. It's been awhile since we had seen them. 

Monday was filled with consiglio for the mission. I always love the different trainings. We talked about a wide range of things. 

We saw mama with the other missionaries this week. It was a lot of fun. We sang karaoke and mama seemed like she had fun. We saw another less active who has a friend who needs help to learn Italian. Hopefully we can help her out because we are always looking for service opportunities. 

That's a brief recap of everything that happened this past week. 

Also you all should go look up one of my favorite Mormon messages. It's called New Year's: Look Not Behind Thee.

My little thought for this week is a quote I came across as I've been studying the Book of Mormon with the student manual.

 “We must be careful, as we seek to become more and more godlike, that we do not become discouraged and lose hope. Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible. The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant, as it were: Alma the Younger, Paul on the road to Damascus, Enos praying far into the night, King Lamoni. Such astonishing examples of the power to change even those steeped in sin give confidence that the Atonement can reach even those deepest in despair.

​​​​“But we must be cautious as we discuss these remarkable examples. Though they are real and powerful, they are the exception more than the rule. For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life. They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment. They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said ‘were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, ​and they knew it not.​'"

Progress is happens without us ever realizing it. As we continue to look to Christ, have an earnest desire to change, and act on that desire we can find the power of the Holy Ghost in our lives. 

I love you all!

Last Goodbye! Sorella Williams