Ciao
cari miei! Yet another week that has flown by in a flurry and I can
hardly remember any of it. Here I am sitting at the internet point
wanting to share everything that happened, and I realize I left my
planner at home. Sad day. I take notes in that blessed little thing. I
feel lost without it. I think my brain has been working too much lately.
It is on overdrive and the memory is failing. Anyway, it has been a
lovely week. It is tremendously cold at times, but at least the sun is
out. Last week we had some fun at the mall where Sorella bought some
lovely boots. Thursday she had an asthma attack and was suffering from
some exhaustion so we were ordered back to the doctor the next day, but
all is well. Friday we saw Jessica and her daughter Helen. We taught
principles from the young women theme and talked about how they help us
endure and become like our father in heaven. It was lovely. We taught
Giovanna on Saturday and we brought the gospel art book. She showed the
pictures to Signora Marzo and when they got to the end Signora Marzo
said, "chi sono questi vecchietti?" "Who are all these old men?"
Giovanna was rolling on the floor with laughter and as we all regained
the ability to talk without laughing we explained they were prophets.
Even the Signora was laughing. It really brightened up the place. who
knew pictures of "old men" could do that? We taught Lin Jiamu, the
adorable Chinese girl we met at the questura. She flat out told us she
did not believe in God and didn't really care, but we told her she was a
daughter of God and she said "and I just don't know it?" and I said
"Yes!" She said she would read the Book of Mormon and pray even though
it is something she has never done before. It was AWESOME. Sunday I was
translating during sacrament meeting and fllo Scolletta brought up his
daughter and said he brought her because "mi serve" which means "she
serves me" like "I need to use her". I, humorously said something mildly
stupid because I couldn't think of an English equivalent and said she
is helpful or useful in a phrase that likely wasn't English. An American
member that speaks Italian turned around and kind of chuckled.
Sometimes I am brilliant. We finally saw this cute inactive girl, Alice.
I hope we were able to bring the spirit and that she could feel the
love of God. I think that is what she needed. I hope she comes Sunday.
We met a referral, Chantal, who is beautiful and amazing and we are so
excited to teach her. We taught the gospel to Rosa, Sabrina, e Katy and
Katy is so excited to get baptized when she turns eight. She keeps
saying how she is the only one left to do it. She is very bright. They
gave me some temporary boots to use until I can find some new ones,
since my others broke and nearly caused me to fall into traffic and
break various parts of my body. At least I can walk in safety now. Today
we are going to a fair with booths and artisan works and food from
every region in Italia and various parts of the world. I am so excited!
Monday in district meeting I had been asked to give the spiritual
thought so I sang the song, "God bless your way" by Hilary Weeks and
talked about offering all we can offer. I have been thinking about that a
lot lately because sometimes I feel like all I have to offer is very
meager, like I haven't done or given enough, but then I think of a talk
by Bruce C. Hafen called "The Atonement: All for All" and I remember he
talks about how we must give our all because that is what is required,
but that even when we give our all, it is never enough, it is always, by
itself, just an almost, until it is finished by him who is the finisher
of our faith. It is only then that our imperfect, but consecrated
almost is enough. And I know that is true. My companion compares it to
the man with two talents in the bible, at the end, he didn't even have
as many talents as the first man did in the beginning, but he still gave
his all, he still grew, and he gains the same prize. I don't have to be
a perfect missionary. I don't even have to be as good as the ones I
know, but I need to to what I can. I hope I have. I know that He will
make my all that is only an almost in the great scheme of things,
enough. And I am incredibly grateful for that. Because it matters an
awful lot to me. Remember He loves you and will help you if you seek
him.
con affetto,
Sorella Lloyd
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