~sigh~ As her mom and dad, our hearts break for her. We will work hard to support her and help her understand that she has NOT failed and she will continue to be an instrument in the Lord's hands her WHOLE life. Once again, thank you to everyone for your love, prayers and support. We are excited for Friday night...to give her a big hug and get her home where we can help her get better and back up to school to finish!!!!
Love,
Rosalee
Wednesday, May 30, 2012 1:41 PM
I've come to find out that my mother has already filled you all in on the decision I have had to make this past week. I would like everyone to know that, even though I will be honorably released, I know that my mission isn't finished. It never will be. THe things I have come to learn and to love, to cherish and to make a part of me, will always be at the front in my life. The Lord has blessed me with this opportunity to get better...to truly have the health and strength I will need in the future to do His work. I am so grateful to the Lord and feel completely at peace that this IS exactly what I need to be doing with my life. I want to thank you all for your love and your support, your prayers and your fasts. THe Lord's work WILL go on and people WILL be blessed! I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the ONLY way we can return to our Father in Heaven and that Jesus Christ IS our Savior and Redeemer of the world. How grateful I am to Joseph Smith and the stand he took! What a sacrifice he gave so that we may have the truth and the world might be saved. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's mouthpiece on the earth today and that the sealing powers of the priesthood have been restored. I know what my next steps in life are, and how grateful I am to be guided by this gospel and to have The Book of Mormon right by my side!! The Book of Mormon IS the word of God and I am blessed to read it and ponder it and study it each and every day. May the Lord bless you and keep you all safe! I'll arrive in the States on Friday night! See you when the time comes, and thank you all so very much for you love and support. I say these things in the name of my Lord, my Savior, my Brother and my Friend, Jesus Christ, AMEN.
as always,
SORELLA camille m. bowman
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Homecoming Happiness
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 12:02 PM
She will be home this Friday, June 1 at 8:25pm. Her homecoming talk will be on the 10th of June. We meet at 9:00am in the morning. If you are in the area, please come by.
We may have a BBQ on Saturday before but that is up in the air. We want to see how she is doing. The chapel address is:
285 N Matterhorn Dr. Alpine, UT. 84004
If you have any questions my cell phone number is 480-273-7783.
Thanks again for all your love and support. Rosalee
She will be home this Friday, June 1 at 8:25pm. Her homecoming talk will be on the 10th of June. We meet at 9:00am in the morning. If you are in the area, please come by.
We may have a BBQ on Saturday before but that is up in the air. We want to see how she is doing. The chapel address is:
285 N Matterhorn Dr. Alpine, UT. 84004
If you have any questions my cell phone number is 480-273-7783.
Thanks again for all your love and support. Rosalee
Saturday, May 26, 2012
She's Coming Home
Saturday, May 26, 2012 3:18 PM
Yes. This is bittersweet news that we share with you all. For some time now Camille has been struggling with her health. She has taken gluten totally out of her diet and for a bit it "seemed" to help but as time has gone one, she has gotten worse and worse. With only 11 weeks left till her actual release date, the mission president doesn't want to take any more chances nor does he want to do testing over in Italy because Dr's here wouldn't accept those tests. In a random conversation with a mom at soccer she mentioned that she had served in Italy and had to come home 2 months early. She had a parasite and her symptoms are very, very similar to that of Camilles. It's not like she's on her death bed. She has good moments, hours sometimes even a good day but then it hits her and she's down in pain and just can not function.
So she will be home Friday. We are not sure of the exact time but should know by Tuesday or Wednesday. Bishop here said they would schedule her homecoming talk within the next couple of weeks.
Please continue to pray for her and she has one more week there and a grueling plane flight home. It is miserable to be sick on a plane.
Thanks, Rosalee
Yes. This is bittersweet news that we share with you all. For some time now Camille has been struggling with her health. She has taken gluten totally out of her diet and for a bit it "seemed" to help but as time has gone one, she has gotten worse and worse. With only 11 weeks left till her actual release date, the mission president doesn't want to take any more chances nor does he want to do testing over in Italy because Dr's here wouldn't accept those tests. In a random conversation with a mom at soccer she mentioned that she had served in Italy and had to come home 2 months early. She had a parasite and her symptoms are very, very similar to that of Camilles. It's not like she's on her death bed. She has good moments, hours sometimes even a good day but then it hits her and she's down in pain and just can not function.
So she will be home Friday. We are not sure of the exact time but should know by Tuesday or Wednesday. Bishop here said they would schedule her homecoming talk within the next couple of weeks.
Please continue to pray for her and she has one more week there and a grueling plane flight home. It is miserable to be sick on a plane.
Thanks, Rosalee
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
I Find That the Scriptures are Becoming More Alive
Wednesday, May 9, 2012 9:06 AM
Sounds like things are going really well! I am so excited that everything worked out for the fundraiser and that you had all the help! Congrats! I'll need to pay more attention when I come home for visits so that I can learn some more cooking tips from Dad...I wished I had paid more attention when I had the opportunities!
As far as your choir calling, Mom, relax! You have conducted Primary like, all your life! And a ward choir is just like primary, only the people are like 30 years older. No big! Haha! They probably don't know much about music except the Pratt's, but I am sure they would be willing to help you when you needed it. The Lord called you there for a reason because He knows you can do it and learn something great! And about getting your degree? Why not?! You want to, so do it! You are right, you aren't getting older...but you know, whenever I would travel through the airports and stuff, I saw this add for the oldest person getting a degree...know how old? A 98 year old woman! It's NEVER too late! I say go for it...it'll only help you from here on out!
I look forward to skyping too...it sounds like Daniel is doing better. I have been praying for him and his companion. That Daniel would see his companion as a person struggling and maybe use some inspired questions as to how to help him out. Missionaries come from all sorts of backgrounds, and the only way to help them is to see them as people too...and not categorize them as "they should be working like this..." If my companion thought that about me...I would feel like a big turd...all my mission. THis past week I have had more stomach problems...a pain that doesn't go away until around like 10 in the morning. Yesterday it stayed with me ALL DAY LONG and all I could do was lay down and stick to the brat diet. Sorella Wolfgramm, poor thing...she can't even help me and yet still wants me to call. So I called her and told her what was up, and she wants me eating more fruits and veggies...more fiber! Which our fridge is already a living garden so we are trying even more! I am trying my hand at cooking dried beans, and my companion is all for it. Summer time is here and the markets are FULL of delicious stuff. We got ready this morning because there is a market every Wednesday right by our house and I LOVED IT! We got SO MUCH GOOD PRODUCE and I felt like a stud because we compared prices from our usual shopping to the market and we struck gold!! AND because are "beautiful, young American girls" the vendors would give us price breaks "just because we are us" Haha HECK YES!! So we bought kilos of lettuce, cherry tomatoes, apples, oranges, asparagus, fennel, celery, carrots, kumquats, strawberries, kiwi, bananas, cantaloupe, and watermelon! We are still bummed about our blender, and I know dad said to get a new one but my companion just can't justify it quite yet and wants to see if someone can fix ours because it is brand new! We DO miss the green drinks, that's for sure. And we both laughed as I read about Daniel's "no air conditioner and windows being sealed shut..." All I could do was laugh and think, welcom to Italy. The only way to stay cool here is to shower cold...and tie your hair up and no make-up. It's starting to get warm, but it is only the beginning. We are already getting sandal tan lines and the famous missionary tan lines...hahah woo hoo!! So still going off about food, our investigator Francesca was SO worried about me yesterday...when my illlness was the worst. She had prepared her delicious minestrone just for us, because she knows how much we love it and I just wasn't sure I could stomach it...literally. But she kept saying that I have dropped too much weight too fast and that I needed to eat. Mind you, I haven't lost anything. And she..hahah, gosh Sorella Hanks and I just laughed about EVERYTHING last night. This woman is just so funny and so attached to her food! We are trying to help her lose weight and convince her that she doesn't have to lost 50 pounds before she can be baptized. It will serve her WONDERFULLY to lose the weight, for crying out loud she has to take a blood decoagulant to live..."Did you know that the medicine I take is poison for rats?" WHAT?! OH MY GOSH!! hahaha But she also believes that her son has a stomach ulcer because he at sandwhiches at 12:00 noon all his young life, and the bread was too dry. LOL!! I laughed so hard until I realized that she was serious.....Italians and their wives tales...
But the progress with Francesca is really slow. We WERE going to drop her yesterday, but Sorella Hanks and I felt so impressed not too...she would literally die without us. Heavenly Father loves her so much, and we just need to be patient with her. We are making progress with the ward and finding the lost ones...we got 19 lessons last week...almost the mission goal of 20! And each lesson we taught was exactly where we needed to be...it was amazing. I was saying my prayers the other night and I was asking Heavenly Father to guide us to those who are in need of our help...and it hit me that He is. Not in the form of investigators, but in the form of members who are losing their faith. VISITING TEACHING AND HOME TEACHING ARE SO IMPORTANT!!!!! MOst of the members don't have these key people...we have felt impressed to ask if they have one or the other and sometimes they have neither!! These single women don't have priesthood holders in their homes and when they don't have home teachers WHO CAN GIVE THEM BLESSINGS?! So we are trying to meet with the RS president to help her get some VT set up...Sorella Hanks was secretary of the RS in her old ward and so VT was a BIG part of her responsibility...and I...am learning much, much, more of the importance and will DEFINITELY take it more seriously when I come back.
We had interviews this week with President and I was a little worried...fears of him suggesting I go home because of my illness...but it was the other way around. As we started talking, he asked me to share my experiences in any shape or form...and of course I started talking about my thoughts and fears as to where I am now. And it turns out, my illness here in the mission has changed my life. I started talking about how I have really turned to Heavenly Father and looking at where I am in my mission, I am doing things because I WANT to, not because I HAVE to...and it was a really wonderful spiritual confirmation to me that the Lord is pleased with the work I am able to do. I really AM grateful to be a missionary. The Lord KNOWS I can't go out and push like I used to and He knows that it won't be fixed until I can get proper medical attention...but I need to serve and love with all that I can give. And thus I am beginning the Book of Mormon again for the 6th time but circling repentance, prayer, knowledge wisdom and remember. I find that the scriptures are becoming more alive and I just find the testimony of Joseph Smith like, burning within me! I read his testimony of the whole experience and also the testimony of the witnesses and it was just remarkable. I found myself thinking "it's so true...this is so true! How cool would that have been? I wonder why this happened...?" and all sorts of other questions. I am also studying PMG MUCH more indepth now and actually writing down my thoughts...yeah yeah, I know. Journal writing has ALWAYS been a struggle for me...mainly because I justify my emails home as journal entries..but I do write a lot of my thoughts in my study journal and am working on my personal journal. I am experiencing a LOT of personal growth and finding a lot of permament changes that I am going to strive to keep with me for the rest of my life. I no longer have homesickness, just a little frustration as to how sick I get and if it's me or I am really sick...usually I am really sick because my companion asks what's wrong...and when I sleep...I am OUT. She is so patient and I am just so grateful for her!!
I know the Lord is aware of me and I know He is guiding our work. If the ward isn't willing to do the work, the missionaries will step up to the plate and gem this ward!! It's hard work and sometimes stressful because you think "THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF!!!! YEAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!" But then, my companion pointed out that these people are like 1st and 2nd generation members of the chruch...we are dealing with babies still. SOoooo we have to watch the boundaries of the things we say...22 and 23 year olds counseling the Bishop and RS President is a touchy subject...but we are making good relationships with the wards. Our 1st counselor LOVES us and the 2nd counselor too...so they do listen and they DO KNOW that we are hard workers. I bore my testimony on Sunday and really enjoyed the experience. I really do love these Italian people and the experiences I am having. Thank you for the prayers and the support and more digging and sifting will be done here in beautiful Milan! Love you all so much!! Love, sorella bowman
p.s. Can't wait to hear from you all on SUNDAY!!!!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Anyone Awake?
The reason she titled this "Anyone awake" is because sometimes we catch each other in the morning when she writes and we chat back and forth. I wasn't home this morning when she wrote so I missed her. Sad days.
Wednesday, May 2 2012 9:19 AM
Yoohoo! Thank you so much for your emails this week. I know, I know...I had to think back on my email's I've sent and it kind of troubled me that you and Dad were so worried. Honestly, I freak out in this hour and then off I go again doing the work. P-Day's don't feel like P-Days anymore...we are constantly looking and constantly adjusting so we can teach and talk to people. We DO have to be more careful at nighttime, because it's summer now and creepy...like legit creepsters are out and about...and gross. But, I carry around my pepper spray, and my ankle is strong enough...so if we have to take off, I can! And Sorella Hanks is really proud of her little soccer sprinter quads...she's "gotta good kick!" and isn't afraid to use it! Haha!
We are really excited for the work that is going on. Our work has taken a different direction than most missionaries, but we are seeing a LOT of success. When we go and find these less actives, we end up teaching them like investigators. Most have forgotten almost everything, if not all. And most are part-member families. YAY! We decided to just put our tracting shoes on and go find the names out in San Donato...a little country paiese..very quiet and not much going on, about an hour mediante Metro. But there was a LONG list. We had been praying really hard to make this time worth while, and when we finished the day...we felt VERY accomplished. EVERY SINGLE PERSON we passed by was home...and EVERY SINGLE PERSON we passed by said how happy they were to see the missionaries. Some hadn't seen missionaries in YEARS...let alone members. One, well 2 families the Bishop gave for us to go and see...basically because he has given up on them...we found themand they were so receptive! And we have an appointment with one of the families this Saturday...WHICH we are very excited for! The progress with Francesca is moving, but moving slowly. She FINALLY understands the importance of prayer and WHY we need to pray with our hearts. Mind you, this has been the lesson for the past like...month...and finally something CLICKED...I mentally slapped my forehead once she said "Well, you think you would have told me this before!" Oih...hahah but that day I had prayed for patience and I had prayed for love for her and not frustration because we were teaching the same lesson OVER AGAIN...and that extra please for patience worked!
I am finding that I am more at peace with myself and the direction of my mission. Do I know who I am? Yes, I am a daughter of God...my Heavenly Father, who loves me even when I don't love myself. So when my mind turns in that direction, those thoughts are NOT from the Savior...or even me because I KNOW I am here in this life to improve...it's tools of the adversary. Here on this mission, we are given EVERY SINGLE TOOL to feel good about ourselves. And I KNOW now that I wasn't being a lazy missionary when I wasn't able to get up...I was literally sick. How do I know? These past couple days I have been getting up early and encouraging my companion for a run! The moment I had some flour...I was sick to my stomach for a whole day...and even a little bit today. I know that I can be what the Lord wants me to be and He IS guiding me. I am starting to not second guess...and just go ahead and ask. There isn't any harm. The other day I saw a mother with her daughter, a beautiful woman from Peru. I thought "Ask her the baby's name" and then i started to second guess...and a thought came to my mind "You are growing now and you have more peace with yourself...just ask. You have only once to do this..." And so I did. Her baby's name was Linda and I talked with her about how, Oh My Goodness! That's MY sister's name too! And we got off the same stop as her, just to talk with her...she wasn't really interested and kept pushing her stroller faster and faster...haha yeah I jogged after her....and I ended up testifying of the family and leaving a pass along card. DID I JUST JOG AFTER SOMEONE? PUSHING A STROLLER? IN THE RAIN? Yes my friends, heck yes I did. And it felt so good!! I really do love sharing the gospel and honestly, my heart feels SO LIGHT.
I have been studying about repentance and the process of it all. How can we ever forgive ourselves for the things that we have done? How can we get rid of those memories that bog us down and turn us to things that we want to leave in the past? I thought it impossible. And I had been praying for a solution for quite sometime...One day I was studying PMG Chapter 1...My purpose as a missionary and I couldn't study...all I could think was "Go say a prayer and talk with Heavenly Father" I kept brushing it aside because I HAD TO STUDY...but finally I couldn't put it off anymore and I did. I knelt down and I prayed. I recognized. I confessed word for word my feelings and my doings and my guilt. How can I perform restitution? That answer came from Heavenly Father. "Don't worry about it...you have repented and I have accepted your repentance for a while now. YOU just need to forgive yourself. Remember? When you repent, I the Lord remember them no more. Now it's your turn." A scripture I had read over and over again smacked me right in the face and illuminated EVERYTHING. And my life has changed. The beauty of the Tree of Life, Lehi's vision...and the fruit being the Atonement...it's true. It really is the most delicious thing for your soul...it's the only balm there is. And I have finally come to myself and made it my goal to talk with as many people as I can...and testify of simple truths. People will KNOW what we, the nametag bearers, stand for, even if we don't get to share our whole message. God loves us. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for us. We KNOW He is the same yesterday, today and forever because He speaks to ALL people. How do we know? A prayer was said by a young boy, only 14 years old and he wanted to know what church was true. God and Jesus Christ appeared to him and Christ said to not join ANY of the churches, but that later in life, he would be called a prophet of God to lead and guide His children back to Him. The Book of Mormon is proof of this. You can read this for yourself and come to know the Love God has specifically for you. The Atonement not only took care of our sins, but also our heartaches, our troubles, our fears, and HE HAS PROVIDED A WAY FOR US TO LEAVE THEM ALL BEHIND. I testify of this with love in my heart and tears in my eyes...I KNOW it is true with all my heart. When you forgive and love yourself, understanding that whatever happens, the Lord is in it...the sun shines brighter and the gospel is that much sweeter and the love you have for complete strangers is real. (tears in eyes again). I know, I only have one chance and if you had spoken to me about this a month ago, I would have felt hopeless. But now, I feel more excitement, love and hope for my mission than ever before. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ...and He LOVES His brothers and sisters....and Heavenly Father LOVES His children. Prayer and obedience, faith and hope are the keys...as well as studying the scriptures, meditating and asking the Lord "Where must we (I) go today?" And I KNOW He leads us! Every missionary is different, every city is different, but we each bring the same message in different ways. THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS BEEN RESTORED. COME UNTO HIM AND BE BAPTIZED IN HIS NAME AND RECEIVE A REMISSION OF YOUR SINS. Has anyone noticed how many times "repent" is mentioned in the Book of Mormon? The Lord talks of the punishments that will happen IF you don't repent. Repent and everything will be fine! I am so grateful we can do this each and everyday.
"Pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus" and "all things shall come together for your good." This I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
p.s. Liz (from Genova) was baptized on the 14th of April. The Elder's called President and asked President to tell me. Liz is doing wonderfully and is a complete rockstar in the ward!! MIRACLES HAPPEN! Also, a couple that was baptized last week in Lodi...turns out they had met with the missionaries 7 years ago...3 scheda FULL of information. Never lose hope...and always keep track!
Wednesday, May 2 2012 9:19 AM
Yoohoo! Thank you so much for your emails this week. I know, I know...I had to think back on my email's I've sent and it kind of troubled me that you and Dad were so worried. Honestly, I freak out in this hour and then off I go again doing the work. P-Day's don't feel like P-Days anymore...we are constantly looking and constantly adjusting so we can teach and talk to people. We DO have to be more careful at nighttime, because it's summer now and creepy...like legit creepsters are out and about...and gross. But, I carry around my pepper spray, and my ankle is strong enough...so if we have to take off, I can! And Sorella Hanks is really proud of her little soccer sprinter quads...she's "gotta good kick!" and isn't afraid to use it! Haha!
We are really excited for the work that is going on. Our work has taken a different direction than most missionaries, but we are seeing a LOT of success. When we go and find these less actives, we end up teaching them like investigators. Most have forgotten almost everything, if not all. And most are part-member families. YAY! We decided to just put our tracting shoes on and go find the names out in San Donato...a little country paiese..very quiet and not much going on, about an hour mediante Metro. But there was a LONG list. We had been praying really hard to make this time worth while, and when we finished the day...we felt VERY accomplished. EVERY SINGLE PERSON we passed by was home...and EVERY SINGLE PERSON we passed by said how happy they were to see the missionaries. Some hadn't seen missionaries in YEARS...let alone members. One, well 2 families the Bishop gave for us to go and see...basically because he has given up on them...we found themand they were so receptive! And we have an appointment with one of the families this Saturday...WHICH we are very excited for! The progress with Francesca is moving, but moving slowly. She FINALLY understands the importance of prayer and WHY we need to pray with our hearts. Mind you, this has been the lesson for the past like...month...and finally something CLICKED...I mentally slapped my forehead once she said "Well, you think you would have told me this before!" Oih...hahah but that day I had prayed for patience and I had prayed for love for her and not frustration because we were teaching the same lesson OVER AGAIN...and that extra please for patience worked!
I am finding that I am more at peace with myself and the direction of my mission. Do I know who I am? Yes, I am a daughter of God...my Heavenly Father, who loves me even when I don't love myself. So when my mind turns in that direction, those thoughts are NOT from the Savior...or even me because I KNOW I am here in this life to improve...it's tools of the adversary. Here on this mission, we are given EVERY SINGLE TOOL to feel good about ourselves. And I KNOW now that I wasn't being a lazy missionary when I wasn't able to get up...I was literally sick. How do I know? These past couple days I have been getting up early and encouraging my companion for a run! The moment I had some flour...I was sick to my stomach for a whole day...and even a little bit today. I know that I can be what the Lord wants me to be and He IS guiding me. I am starting to not second guess...and just go ahead and ask. There isn't any harm. The other day I saw a mother with her daughter, a beautiful woman from Peru. I thought "Ask her the baby's name" and then i started to second guess...and a thought came to my mind "You are growing now and you have more peace with yourself...just ask. You have only once to do this..." And so I did. Her baby's name was Linda and I talked with her about how, Oh My Goodness! That's MY sister's name too! And we got off the same stop as her, just to talk with her...she wasn't really interested and kept pushing her stroller faster and faster...haha yeah I jogged after her....and I ended up testifying of the family and leaving a pass along card. DID I JUST JOG AFTER SOMEONE? PUSHING A STROLLER? IN THE RAIN? Yes my friends, heck yes I did. And it felt so good!! I really do love sharing the gospel and honestly, my heart feels SO LIGHT.
I have been studying about repentance and the process of it all. How can we ever forgive ourselves for the things that we have done? How can we get rid of those memories that bog us down and turn us to things that we want to leave in the past? I thought it impossible. And I had been praying for a solution for quite sometime...One day I was studying PMG Chapter 1...My purpose as a missionary and I couldn't study...all I could think was "Go say a prayer and talk with Heavenly Father" I kept brushing it aside because I HAD TO STUDY...but finally I couldn't put it off anymore and I did. I knelt down and I prayed. I recognized. I confessed word for word my feelings and my doings and my guilt. How can I perform restitution? That answer came from Heavenly Father. "Don't worry about it...you have repented and I have accepted your repentance for a while now. YOU just need to forgive yourself. Remember? When you repent, I the Lord remember them no more. Now it's your turn." A scripture I had read over and over again smacked me right in the face and illuminated EVERYTHING. And my life has changed. The beauty of the Tree of Life, Lehi's vision...and the fruit being the Atonement...it's true. It really is the most delicious thing for your soul...it's the only balm there is. And I have finally come to myself and made it my goal to talk with as many people as I can...and testify of simple truths. People will KNOW what we, the nametag bearers, stand for, even if we don't get to share our whole message. God loves us. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for us. We KNOW He is the same yesterday, today and forever because He speaks to ALL people. How do we know? A prayer was said by a young boy, only 14 years old and he wanted to know what church was true. God and Jesus Christ appeared to him and Christ said to not join ANY of the churches, but that later in life, he would be called a prophet of God to lead and guide His children back to Him. The Book of Mormon is proof of this. You can read this for yourself and come to know the Love God has specifically for you. The Atonement not only took care of our sins, but also our heartaches, our troubles, our fears, and HE HAS PROVIDED A WAY FOR US TO LEAVE THEM ALL BEHIND. I testify of this with love in my heart and tears in my eyes...I KNOW it is true with all my heart. When you forgive and love yourself, understanding that whatever happens, the Lord is in it...the sun shines brighter and the gospel is that much sweeter and the love you have for complete strangers is real. (tears in eyes again). I know, I only have one chance and if you had spoken to me about this a month ago, I would have felt hopeless. But now, I feel more excitement, love and hope for my mission than ever before. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ...and He LOVES His brothers and sisters....and Heavenly Father LOVES His children. Prayer and obedience, faith and hope are the keys...as well as studying the scriptures, meditating and asking the Lord "Where must we (I) go today?" And I KNOW He leads us! Every missionary is different, every city is different, but we each bring the same message in different ways. THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS BEEN RESTORED. COME UNTO HIM AND BE BAPTIZED IN HIS NAME AND RECEIVE A REMISSION OF YOUR SINS. Has anyone noticed how many times "repent" is mentioned in the Book of Mormon? The Lord talks of the punishments that will happen IF you don't repent. Repent and everything will be fine! I am so grateful we can do this each and everyday.
"Pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus" and "all things shall come together for your good." This I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
p.s. Liz (from Genova) was baptized on the 14th of April. The Elder's called President and asked President to tell me. Liz is doing wonderfully and is a complete rockstar in the ward!! MIRACLES HAPPEN! Also, a couple that was baptized last week in Lodi...turns out they had met with the missionaries 7 years ago...3 scheda FULL of information. Never lose hope...and always keep track!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Visiting Teaching is SO Important!
Things have been going really well with the
work. A lot of things are dealing with testing my patience and just
relying on the Lord. Our one investigator Francesca is
progressing...ever so slowly. BUT!! Our relationship with the ward is
growing TREMENDOUSLY!! Sorella Hanks and I feel so excited!! I was
struggling one day in the fact that our investigor pool is more like a
puddle...and what kind of work was the Lord expecting us to do here in
Milan. I wasn't feeling good one day, so I decided to pray diligently
and then take a little nap. As I was praying, I was just frustrated
"Heavenly Father! Why don't we have any investigators? What am I doing
wrong? I want to serve thee and I have no idea what I'm doing here!
Please, help us find investigators so that we can have baptismal dates!"
And then, it hit me "I haven't sent you and your companion here to
Milan for baptismal dates. I want you to go and find those who have lost
their way." We are here to build the ward and help the ward find out
who really lives in their areas!! We had a little visit with the Relief
Society President yesterday and found out a lot of....henpecking? I
guess there are more issues in this ward than what we were aware of. But
we tried some smoothing over and we really ARE getting a lot
accomplished for the ward. After the visit, we went with her and a NC to
visit a less active sister named Marcella. She is a YSA and just got
back from vacation. Sorella Hanks and I had been praying for a
less-active, part member family and we had no idea about this Marcella
girl. So we go, thinking to strengthen the ward, and SHE is the only
member of her family...consisting of her mom, dad, and younger sister.
When we got home for nightly planning, Sorella Hanks' and my eyebrows
shot up...our vision for this transfer is to find and baptize and
reactivate a less-active, part-member family. Thank you Heavenly Father.
We are helping the RS president clean the chapel tomorrow, and we hope
Marcella and her sister will be at the FHE we prepare every week. THEN,
if they ARE there, we swarm!! Just kidding...more like make an
appointment with her family and visit a bit more.
Speaking of visit....VISITING TEACHING IS SO
IMPORTANT!!! I have SUCH a testimony of it...it really is the Lord's
tool to build relationships between members and sisters of the ward! As
the RS President and her companion (the NC) did their lesson, they just
shared the message and wanted to "get out of their hair". And I was like
"WOAH?! Wait a minute...No testimony? No inspired question? Let's slow
things down a bit..." The message was about Daughters in My Kingdom
(WHICH! If you haven't read it, you totally should...it's beautiful!) So
the NC shared the message in English (She's Filipino) and I translated.
Once the message was done, the RS president just said "Va bene" and was
getting up to leave! She shared her testimony, a little bit, but was
focussed on getting out. So I jumped in and asked if I could ask a
question..I wasn't going to let this opportunity leave! Here was this
less active 24 year old girl and her mother, who ISN'T a member, taking
time to listen to a message about a book they have never even read! So I
asked a question "What does it mean to be a daughter in a kingdom? To
know that you are a princess?" And the whole feeling changed...The
daughter responded saying that she felt priviledged and that it was
something wonderful. And the mother, WHO ISN'T A MEMBER, answers and
says that it is a beautiful thought and it gives her comfort. She then
goes on to say that things are really hard right now and they are
struggling...and then the RS President jumped in and started sharing her
story about how she found work. Daauughh...Anyway, that's all we needed
and Sorella Hanks and I went forward from there. That little tidbit
could have been worked with so diligently, but I think we get wrapped up
in the idea of sharing the message and getting out...when in reality it is a time to strengthen one another and lift the hands that hang down.
I LOVE MY MISSION AND I AM LEARNING SO MUCH!!! So that was an
interesting experience and yet so grateful for it because we know now
who to try and work with and go forward from there. Little by little a
mission changes your ideas of certain things in the church, and it only
changes you for the better. LIFE LONG LEARNING! LIFE LONG CHANGING! LIFE
LONG DISCIPLESHIP!!
And that's another thing...life long discipleship.
We actually have become really good friends with a young couple in our
ward. Her name is Jackie and his name is Nathan. THey have a little girl
named Elly (Elliana) and they are the Marshall family. We are actually
having dinner with them tonight because they want to introduce the
gospel to their land lord. He is here in Italy for school on a study
abroad...he is from Blackfoot and she is from Minnesota. They will be
here until the end of July. But, we see that our hardwork is helping the
ward because Nathan SWORE off sister missionaries. He served here about
5 years ago and the sisters were a joke...always making problems. But
after we got to know them and talking with them, he told Jackie to
invite us to dinner again this past sunday. PROGRESS!! Hahah Jackie was
really happy that we changed his heart...I think she likes having people
close to her age to talk to...in English nonetheless. BUT!! Hearing
those sisters like, ruin an elder's idea about Sister missionaries, and
even President and Sorella Wolfgramm were concerned when they first
arrived. The sisters that were in the mission when they arrived were
crude, rude, and un-Christlike...they were GLAD to see the sisters
leave! They didn't want to deal with them anymore! And I see now like,
if you have the opportunity to serve a mission it can change you to be
the person you want to be. I am so glad because I am learning how to
deal with things...fully relying on the gospel. You learn mothership,
sistership, self-ship (?boh?), and discipleship, all cram packed in 18
months more or less.
I am so grateful for the things that I am learning
and how I can truly talk with my Heavenly Father about anything and
everything. My tiredness frustrates me and I feel like a lame-o because I
just need to sleep...that's all my brain will think about "sleep...you
can't go further just take a nap." Do I feel better afterward, yes. But
do I feel lousy that I had to take that time away from the Lord's time?
Also yes. So, I decided to pray about it. I just told Heavenly Father
that I just can't do it. I can't get up in the morning...my body hurts
and I am so tired and I'm frustrated because I am tired of eating such
heavy foods and wah, wah wah. And basically I threw a tantrum and went
to sleep. As I woke up, I received an answer to my prayers...1
Corinthians 10:13..."that ye may be able to bear it" I was just reminded
that I have some factors that are against me and that I need to be
patient. I can't let this get in the way of missionary work. And
sometimes it does. For example, the other day we were visiting Francesca
and she has patience the size of a lentil bean. I was trying to explain
something and she wouldn't listen...so I just got a tight lip and had
my companion take over. I was fuming! And I think it all stemmed from
the fact I was mad at myself for sleeping, I was mad that she made me
eat so much food, and I was just mad....So I decided to not say anything
because I DEFINITELY wasn't feeling the Spirit. Luckily my companion
turned it around and I was able to refocus. But, I can't let the little
things get to me and I really need to work on it. So, I think Francesca
and this whole sleepiness thing is teaching me patience and
understanding...something I thought I had...but realize now that I
really lack. Francesca didn't think anything of it and the lesson ended
up being a really good thing. I had to lay down the law because she
wants me to marry her son..Filippo, who is a total weeny...smokes,
drinks and just whines about life....and he's almost 40...still living
at home. I just layed down the law and then bore my testimony about how I
will marry a man who will be worthy to take me to the temple...Then she
said that she'll convert her son....and I just rolled my eyes and bore
testimony again of the importance of the gospel and the importance of
the sealing power in the Lord's house.
Love,
Sra. Bowman
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
I wasn't sure if this was her letter to everyone, but it appears to be so as nothing more came. Kind of exciting....I received a letter from her mission president asking me to email all the info needed for her return home trip on Aug 24. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT????? Her homecoming talk is scheduled for Aug. 26 so if you are in the area, please come. I can't believe my babies will be home THIS YEAR!!! It truly does go by so fast. What a wonderful experience and testimony building experience they are having. Thanks for all you love and support to our kiddos.
Rosalee
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Rosalee
*************************************
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 9:53 AM
YES!!! I am SO EXCITED that you are going to take Daniel and I on a cruise!!! I am STOKED!!! I have been configuring a plan all week to see what I could do to convince you to take us all again!! I am SO glad you all had a great time and that everyone got home safe :) WHAT?!???!? ANNA IS GETTING MARRIED!???!? Oh my gosh that is INSANE!!! TIme is flying by way too fast...my whole world is going to be turned upside down!! Well, as far as the candy is concerned, it is still sitting in a pile on my couch and my companion and I are slowly getting rid of it. All the whopper eggs she ate because the malt is all wheat products....she happily made the sacrifice. Yeah, I saw the list correne thought up for me and I'm really happy with it...I wish I could take a break in the Winter...but...I think she thinks it would be better for me to just plow through...then I could have the whole summer off and start in the fall. I am looking forward to the pictures and I really am glad that you all are sold on cruises. Do you think we could also consider doing a church history tour? I remember you saying something about going to NC also...what are your traveling thoughts? Whatever it is...I'd like to be in!! How has Ruston been doing? THe little guy has been on my mind lately. I am a little, ever so slightly, homesick...just really missing everyone around this time. But, I have the faith to walk right through the homesickness and all will be well. Transfers are this week and I am staying in Milan again with sister hanks. WE ARE feeling so much better!! THe Lord has been really helping us and me...I've decided to get up even if I feel sick...get up and exercise and run...and we walk everywhere now too....I am determined to lose a few kili before coming home. So, it's lots of fruits and veggies and yogurt and walking...it's coming to summer time now and all the fruits and veggies are great. Today we didn't do exercise in the morning because we are so sore, but we are walking and just having a great time enjoying the weather...even if it is crazy.
This past week/weekend has been a miracle for me. We had zone conference on Thursday and it changed my mission. I felt like I had been digressing as a missionary, and I didn't know what to do. And so, inspired like they are...President and the AP's did an amazing "break your boxes" conference. I shaped up, wisened up, and am striving to be more obedient and happy than ever. One of the biggest things President emphasized was for ALL OF US to change our mode of prayer. We needed to start praying with faith. If we did this, we would see miracles. Ho reso conto (I like...well...it hit me?) that I needed to be better and more sincere with my prayers. Immediately I went home and made a sign on our front door out of the cute little heart sticky notes that says "Did You Think To Pray" and so EVERY SINGLE TIME we leave the apartment, we get on our knees and pray as a companionship. We teach a principle to each other 4 times a day as has been asked since the beginning of my mission, and I am seeing the blessings. I never really had a testimony of it because it seemed really stupid...but I have repented and it helps me be more willing to talk to people. TALKING TO PEOPLE!!! It is becoming SO MUCH EASIER!! I just smile really big and be cheerful and people think I'm crazy...which, suprisingly, interests them more in what i have to say! Saturday and Sunday were MIRACLES FOR ME. Saturday I was close to tears all day long because I felt the SPirit of the Lord so strongly within me. We have quite a handful of potential investigators and the days pass by even faster.
I was pondering this week of the purpose of my mission. Sister Hanks brought up a comment over dinner about how a departing sister mentioned in her testimony that every missionary has their specific mission. She asked me what I thought mine was....and I didn't really know. As I teach and as I meet beautiful, wonderful people...I wonder if my mission was really a tool for the Lord to change me. To, realize what a blessing the gospel in my life is...and to really embrace the positive demeanor that the Lord has blessed me with. I relfected on my setting apart blessing, as well as my patriarchal blessing, and both talked about rejoicing in life, finding joy in the journey, and happiness. Joy. Joyful, Joyous. FINDING THAT IN LIFE. As I reflected on me entering the mission, and stirring my pot of pasta, I was NOT joyful. Oh my heavens...life was so hard for me. But now, I think I am really coming to understand the joy of the gospel, which in turns brings joy into my life. The Spirit is so tender and I strive DAILY to maintain it. I find multiple times the Spirit testifying to me of things I read in the Liahona's we receive...sometimes it's ridiculous and I cry over stories I read in the Friend section. To have joy in your life is so tender, and yet so important. I find now that I am happier than ever and a sense of relief is in my heart. And when I pray for charity, each and every morning...I am less inclined to get frustrated and I see people in a more beautiful light. My hour of study that I had been missing because I wouldn't get up...makes all the difference in my day. I don't want to lose that!! Studying...gosh I LOVE IT!! I don't have enough time to study in just that little hour in the morning! Studying is a lifelong daily thing....bah, it's so important! I want to be a better bigger sister, so many things to make up for and help my siblings know that I love them. This month's Ensign is BEAUTIFUL and some of the stories in the Friend too! It talks about the importance of talking with our children and making time to talk with them. I've decided that I claim dishes after dinner whenever I come to visit at home so that I can snag a sibling and take time to talk with them. And it made me even more grateful for you Mom and Dad! It meant SO MUCH to me, and STILL DOES that I could come to you at 300 in the morning to just talk and help me understand the factions of life. And how I could call whenever, come home whenever, and just talk whenenver. It is such a comforting thing...even if the subjects were redundant...you still encouraged me and helped me along the way. Thus, I want to be the same. This month's Ensign has inspired me to make a Mommy Manual. It's going to be a binder FULL of talks of the Apostles and Prophets on how to have a happier and faithful family. I have already started a list in my "Use Time Wisely" section of Preach My Gospel. WHICH I LOVE!! I LOVE THIS BOOK and I will use PMG for the rest of my life!!!
My joy is full and I rejoice in the gospel and the blessing of eternal families. I am so grateful for this mission and how it is teaching me to be an eternal disciple and missionary of the Lord Jesus Christ. My day goes smoother when I know that my knees have become a little rougher and my Book of Mormon pages have become a little more wrinkled. I have to finish it this week before the new transfer starts...and it freaks me out that I am on the last leg of my color coordinating in the front cover. But yet, oh how blessed I am to be a member of this gospel and to be happy...no matter what happens. The quote for the rest of my life...that always brings me peace "No matter what happens, the Lord is in it." As I see people living their lives, and hearing of people getting married and having babies...I love the pace that the Lord is leading my life. Everything will come in its own due time. I have to learn what I am capable of...learn to listen to the promptings of the Spirit...and I think that big chunk of time during my mission of being sick and not doing EVERYTHING with exactness...taught me what it is like to NOT have the Spirit with you. Thus, I am so grateful for repentance...because when you repent and strive even harder, it's like you LEAP to a whole new level...and life seems a little more brighter.
Not to mention I am less tired because we have new mattresses and pillows and we are eating much better because we are teaching Francesca about the Word of Wisdom...with portions and food substitutions. And seeing her illness has kind of...scared us...into eating better and changing into a healthy lifestyle. Which I am excited. Our blender broke this week...and I cried because I spent about 40 minutes trying to make a green drink by hand, and trying to make the blades spin, and it didn't work and I wasted it all... so now I add the seeds to my yogurts and cottage cheese. I don't know if I mentioned this first, but President asked us in the last conference to ask our loved ones NOT to send packages because custom payments have shot THROUGH THE ROOF. If we are willing to pay with personal money for the customs, then it is fine. But other than that...it's just not worth it. THe only thing I can think of you wanting to send is vitamins...and I can do without them until I return. Thank you so much for everything and I love you all so very much. I am so excited that in like 3 weeks we get to see each other and talk!! How are we wanting to work this out??
WEll, time is up and I gotta go!! Love you!!
until next time,
sorella bowman
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