Thursday, May 31, 2012

Pordenone di nuovo!--Pordenone again!

Buon giorno tutti! Come state? Sto bene grazie. Infatti, sto benissimo perché ho un'altro trasferimento qua a Pordenone. Which means, I am doing great because I get to stay here in Pordenone for another transfer! Yeah! Five transfers in one city may be a lot, but I love the people here, the members, new converts, investigators. I feel very blessed. Plus, I get to stay with my wonderful companion, Sorella Modugno for another six weeks! Urra! Despite the fact that we had probably a dozen appointments cancel without telling us and haven't been able to see our investigators, we have had a good week. We had an awesome lesson with Massimiliano, our great new convert, in which we took him through the plan of salvation and the steps of the gospel. We set up the different parts around the church, he had libero arbitrio, a balloon to fill with air when he learned something (the only thing he could take with him), mortal defects (hand tied) and he received the gift of the holy ghost(me, attached to a string he had to hold). At judgment he had to decide where he felt he deserved to go, when he said he didn't think he felt pure enough or ready enough for the celestial kingdom, we were able to talk about grace and the mercy we have through the atonement of Christ. We don't have to be perfect, just truly progressing toward perfection and we will be perfected in Him. We concluded the lesson in the chapel(our celestial kingdom) and Sorella Modugno made me sing for them (like the angels, she said). It was a neat experience for me and I hope for him. Saturday night was Vicky's baptism and her husband Clarence was able to do it for her. It was really neat. She was so happy she was giddy and I was so happy they got to experience that together. That was years of missionaries working with them to make that night possible and it was truly beautiful. Vincenza had her interview for baptism on Monday and everything went smoothly. She is so awesome! She has almost finished Alma in the book of Mormon, prays like it is something she has been doing her whole life, and it wasn't, and she is truly progressing, truly ready. We have postponed the baptism for now so that Norman's parents can come, but she is very excited and I am so happy to get to work with her and she her progress. We were able to teach Vincenzo Villone, Sorella Villone's inactive husband for the first time when he actually wanted to participate. WE talked about the plan of salvation. The whole thing was a miracle because he had asked us to come over for that purpose. We did family home evening with Fratello Dall'Antonia's family, his inactive mother in law ans non-member aunt and it was really great. Serata familiare was crazy as usual, but I just love Ana, Mariana, and Sorella Rigonat. So great. Yesterday we went to Naturasi, the best health food store I have ever entered. I was in health food heaven. My companion and I delighted over everything. It was like good earth, but better, because it was full of Italian food. It is a dream. There was the most intense thunderstorm I have ever experienced last night, it kept me up for a while, almost with fear, but it was beautiful. There was an incessant rumble and occasional earth shaking crash of thunder and constant flashes of lightning that made me think of the lights in the Secret of Nymn. It was spectacular. A heavenly fireworks show in the middle of the night. I want to wish a good like to all missionaries going home this transfer, especially Anziano Armenise from our district, and I hope you all can face the change with the faith and hope and strength that I know you have gained here. And laughter. It has been a beautiful week getting to know my incredible collega and learning from her and I hope you all get the chance to really get to know those around you and learn from them. When things get tough say a prayer of gratitude for the opportunity to grow and enjoy the challenge. I am so happy I have the opportunity to serve the lord and to chose happiness by following him each day. I hope you do the same. Lots of love and tanti bacioni! 
Sorella Lloyd
Good eats for the week: pasta al forno from Sorella Villone, INCREDIBLE foccaccia from Sorella Rigonat, my very first homemade apple pie (made by me, I mean), a spinach and onion frittata and a strawberry crostata with pastry cream from scratch both made by my incredible companion. Don't drool too much. 


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