and thundering showers...TV's and Sirens and rainfall for hours. Streets filled with water and muddy filled streams...these are a few of my favorite things!
I don't know if any of you watched the news this past week, or CNN or anything, but Genova and Cinque Terra was a big focus. We lost 4 days of missionary work this week because of severe flooding. For me, it was a test of faith...because where we live, there wasn't a cloud in the sky and you wouldn't believe what was going on 20 minutes down the road. So...we stayed inside. When we were finally able to go outside, we went downtown to do some contacting with less-actives...and the streets are FILLED with mud. There are shops just throwing out clothes and merchandise destroyed. So much looting was going on and just so dangerous. Our bishop was calling us and making sure that we stayed inside...Needless to say...we got a LOT of studying done.
With all that studying, I was really really grateful for it. Right up until that time, I just felt like my body was giving up...done son! And so, I was able to take time to rest and really, realign myself with what my heavenly father wants for me. Enough was enough with the no-talking-to-people-on-the-busses thing. I was really receiving some chastisement. I came to realize that when you are happy and just excited about the day...people really don't mind talking to you. I really felt pressed to just tie my personality in with gospel...like really try it..and it works!! On the day that we were able to go out and preach, my companion and I really decided to make a goal of talking to at least one person for a bus ride...genuinely talking and genuinely inviting. That morning during studies...I was terrified. I can't explain it...but I was terrified about what we were about to go forth and do. My heart was just squeaking...I don't even know how to explain it. I knew what we had to do...but just walking up to someone sounded terrifying. I am a person who watches for a bit and then makes an entrance...can't do that with missionary work. there's not enough time. Thus...the hearbeat was thumping. As I shared with my companion my concerns and really communicating with the Lord my desire to share this gospel with anyone and everyone...my heart just melted. There is a woman who we see, all the time, begging for money. And the Lord placed her in my mind to share our teaching drills...and it was a miracle. I cried for heaven's sake. Even the lowliest of people, who have made choices to be where they are today...God still loves them. We can't be choosy in who we share the gospel with. Sure, we have to be smart for our own protection..but God loves them just the same.
That's been my week...inside and really coming to find the Lord. I don't have a whole lot of time this week...but just know that I am coming to myself. Those who knew me before, like 4 months before my mission...that was NEVER me. I was laying in bed the other night and a thought came to my mind "wow, I'm really truly happy again" Yeah...I'm really, truly happy again. I laugh more than ever, my heart is just open and fresh and pumping...where as before it was weak and broken...and tired. Nope. Not anymore. God really loves me and He can heal anyone and everyone. If He can heal me and get me on a mission, He can do ANYTHING for everyone.
Gotta go,
con amore,
Sorella Bowman
[Wednesday, November 9, 2011 2:54 PM]
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