Oct. 17

Well all my dear ones, it has been another wonderful week in Milano. My companion has been thoroughly exposed to finding, knocking doors, and talking to crazy people in the park or on the street, getting yelled at, almost kicked out of buildings, and having people threaten to call the police or call us rude for interrupting lunch. It is delightful fun. My companion was so cute singing the "count your rejections" song. Way to stay positive, Sorellina! After this week she can probably face anything. We had a miracle that came from all of that, though. We met this crazy spiritual teacher type man, Lenny, in a park with a young girl he was helping learn English, Silvia. He talked and talked and thought everything he said was right, said you couldn't define God because that limits god, god is in us, in everything, we know everything if we listen to everything, including rocks, and he believes he has the power to put thoughts into peoples heads and move things with his mind and can read the thoughts of others. It was fascinating. And uncomfortable. Did we back down? Did we argue? No. We bore testimony. Even though my poor companion just wanted to leave. Afterward we both felt like we had been there for Silvia. We did not know why because we did not get her info, but we saw how she listened to us and we said a prayer for her. Two days later, the anziani in como called us because they had just met her on the street, invited her to read the Book of Mormon and will be seeing her in the near future. Miracle. God is mindful of all his children. And, having a good attitude when everything goes badly brings blessings. Even getting yelled at can be fun. In other news, Olga finally has a baptismal date, though it is not until January, it is still a huge miracle. Things are moving forward with Cristina, Dylan, and all of their family. We just keep praying it all works out for December. That would be maybe the greatest miracle of all. We said goodbye to Nicole today, who flies to New York tomorrow. She is going to do great things. She got a 5 year student visa and is so excited. I am so proud of her and of who she is becoming. I have to go, but I just wanted to say how grateful I am for the chance I have to be a missionary. I see everyday other people grow and how I am growing myself, but it is  not just because I am on a mission, but because of the things we DO as missionaries. Things we can all do. I grow and I learn to love others more because I am applying the atonement more in my life so I can share it and as I do that I want to share it more. My relationship with my father in Heaven grows because my prayers are more meaningful. I am a little less selfish and a little more generous, a little more kind. Still very VERY imperfect. Seriously flawed. But I know I am changing and growing. I know His grace makes the difference and will continue to do so and that His love is the most powerful thing there is and will heal any hurt, any wound, any heartache. Everything will be made up. This gospel is so beautifully perfect and I really love that. I know it is true for myself and that is something very special. 

Sorella Chandra Lloyd