Buon
giorno! I have had another beautiful week as a missionary, marveling at
how quickly the time goes and trying to grasp every fleeting moment. On
the eighth I made one year in the mission. I can't believe it. Time
passes so quickly and thinking about this time ending creates an ache
that doesn't subside quickly. But I am very happy and always
experiencing more wonders of Italy, and more miracles with the people
that live here. Ana took us to meet a dear childhood friend of hers who
has also been living in Italy. She was so happy to share this with her, I
wish I could've captured the joy on her face. she is one of the best
member missionaries I know because she is always working to be better
and to share the love and joy she has found in the gospel. It is
beautiful. Mandy took us for gelato and I got dark chocolate and apricot
flavors, which were delicious, and we were able to read her a little
story about princesses and the plan of salvation and remind her how
special she is. Vincenza finally has a definite baptismal date--the
30th. Greta, Norman's sister had a little girl on Saturday, and we are
all happy for her and her husband and that now they will be able to
attend Vincenza's baptism. We were finally able to see Glenda and Luca
again. He is still in a cast and of course there are still problems, but
it was a nice lesson. I am not sure if they want to do this or not, but
I really hope we can help them somehow. Luca did invite us back, so
that makes me happy. We found Joseph and his family and got a few other
numbers doing finding and we are excited to go back and share more of
our message, though Sorella Modugno is less than excited to teach again
in English. She is great, but she doesn't believe me. We were very happy
to get 20 lessons again, though it was close, Heavenly Father blessed
us. We had lunch with Erica, a member who works at Naturasì. She fed us
falafel and other organic health food wonders and we made a crown with
her daughter Alice and talked about the things we need to do to show we
are princess in the kingdom of God. It was lovely. At FHE Americana we
built a human pyramid of the steps of the gospel and had a delightful
time. Yesterday we had to stay in because sorella was sick, but it gave
us the opportunity to talk and to make three sets of the armor of God
for Alessandro, a less active, and his two little boys. We plan to try
it out on Massimiliano tonight and we are both quite excited. We're
crazy, but it's fun. Yesterday it rained like crazy and the lighting was
so loud I squealed. I was looking out the open window when it struck,
so I think I had a right to be a little frightened. Today we went
wandering around the market and the center of the city and ate
gorgonzola di capra, artisan bread, and little balls of mozzarella di
bufala that almost burst in your mouth. Minus the gorgonzola, it was the
most delicious lunch I have ever had. So simple, yet nothing like it. I
bought a little book by Luigi Pirandello that will be the first book I
read when I get home, and comes recommended by my companion, so I can
take a little bit of Italian literature with me. My companion was
terrific this week and helped me resolve questions and problems I have
had for so long, helping me see I don't have to fear. She helped me feel
human, and be okay with it. I feel so much lighter.different, but still
the same. It was the answer to so many of my prayers and I hope I can
just continue to change for the better and at the same time, accept who I
am, because it is only by accepting myself that I can love and change
myself. I am not perfect. I knew that. But now, I am more willing to
accept it. It is hard to explain how I feel, but I am grateful that
Heavenly Father sends others to answer our prayers and to lift us, help
us, and comfort us, and he gives us those answers when we are ready for
them, even if it takes a year in the mission, or years out of your life.
He answers when we are ready and in the best way possible. Because He
loves us. I love you all so much. and I hope you know it.
Un abbraccio,
Sorella Lloyd
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