So, it's been kind of a stressful few nights. A few months ago, a cruise ship (well renouned) crashed off the coast of Italy, not that far from Genova, and many MANY people died and were drowned. The news has been saying that it was a miniature Titanic. I don't know how many of you know, but my family is enjoying the warm coast and waters of the Carribbean and I've been having nightmares that something has happened to the ship or that one of my siblings have drowned. The captain of the Italian ship had left his post to mess around with a passenger and wouldn't let people abandon ship, he ordered people to their cabins. Because of this, he is is prison...the ship is sunk...families have died and people are missing. So yes, as I haven't heard from my family...there is a bit of anxiety but I have to have faith that the Lord is protecting them.
Anyways, over here it's rainy, wet, and freezing. My companion and I have been taking turns with a nasty virus that has been going around and so it's been a trial judging whether or not we can go out for the day. I had to stay in Monday because with this virus you feel nauseated ALL THE TIME and your heart starts racing like you need to purge, but then nothing happens and it's all you can do but stay down in bed. You get a nasty sore throat a quite the headache too...which came at full force yesterday morning for me. But we went out anyway yesterday and taught 5 different people, all of which were really important lessons. Today the weather is even colder and rainier, but we are in our black coats and umbrellas doing our shopping and getting prepared for next week. Tomorrow we have Zone Conference and I am SUPER excited for that. It's always an awesome spiritual boost and helps me improve in every aspect of my life.
We had to drop Domenico this past week but have made some appointments with some potential investigators who were lost in the phone and area book. Today we have an appointment with an Ecuadorian woman who was SO excited that we called and wants us to teach her family. If it means getting new investigators, then it is worth losing an hour on our p-day :) Francesca came to church and really, truly loved it. Her testimony is so strong and it seems there is no shaking her. She prayed for us yesterday to get better and not miss an appointment with her...she is literally like a sponge, soaking EVERYTHING up. There are a few things that we are working on to help her change her "pointing finger" attitude, but the family is getting better. We are praying that her son and husband with soften their hearts to have a desire to start listening to the gospel :)
This past Sunday was Easter Sunday and it was probably the best Easter. I think back on Christmas and I am grateful for the Christmas I experienced because it made me appreciate and look forward to the family Christmas we have each year. Our family, which I am so grateful for, really takes Christmas as it is and truly celebrates the holiday season...looking forward to that again. But this Easter was really special. I think because it gave us missionaries a chance to show who we are in the ward. The Bishopric asked each of us missionaries, President Wolfgramm, and also the older missionary couple to take charge of Sacrament meeting. Anziano Barnes went first in talking about faith, Anziano Jensen went next and talked about the Book of Mormon. They are the AP's. Then Sorella Hanks spoke about praying to know the truth and I spoke about how God is our Loving Heavenly Father. For me it was truly a wonderful experience because I was nervous as to how I could put all my thoughts together. I get up to the stand and everything just flowed. I didn't even have to look at my notes, and I felt the Spirit of the Lord testify through me that these things were true. We then sang (the AP's, myself and my companion) Savior, May I Learn to Love Thee as a special musical number. Then Elder Lynch spoke of he and his wife's conversion stories and President spoke on the Atonement. As he was speaking, a new convert named Ruth, to me showed the beauty of this gospel. After Ruth was baptized 2 years ago, she had a stroke which left her a mess. She's been in the hospital ever since...except this Sunday. Ruth is SUCH a special lady with a smile as warm as the sun and a personality that is so kind and caring, even though she can't say or do much. But the family who brought her to church had to leave early, well on time because we went over, but as President was speaking about the Atonement and Christ's love for each and every one of us...Ruth was slowly walking with her cane, smiling as big as ever making sure that she said goodbye to each and every one. President just continued talking, but it was such a beautiful thing to see this ward come together to love a little sheep who has been pent up in the pasture for a while. I hadn't seen this before. Usually my companions and I have had to work SO HARD to unite the ward in EVERYTHING...but Sunday was such a special experience. I saw people get up from their chairs to hug and baci Ruth to wish her a happy easter. Buona Pasqua. I was a little anxious that no one was listening to President's talk...but I tried to see it through the Lord's eyes...instead of leaving Ruth to herself and she slunking away unnoticed because of her condition, she made every effort she could to say hello and goodbye to everyone...Seeing the happiness on her face and the joy she had within her...I'm sure she truly awaits the Resurrection...which we were celebrating that day. Our bodies are corrupted and would have been this way forever. Disease, disfigure and everything else...things we would wait to overcome us and live forever...only to see a fate under the cold earth. But grazie al' nostro Salvatore, Gesu Cristo, we too can overcome death. The spirits which we cultivate here will shine through in our glorified and perfected bodies because HE overcame it all. We will NEVER be able to comprehend the Atonement, but when we try to use it, I testify that we become steps closer to Him and we come to understand His love for us and everyone each and every time. I have taken the Atonement into my life many times, some more strongly than others...and I come to find that my testimony has grown.
After the sacrament service members flocked to us with referrals and invitations to Easter lunch. But a humble sister and her son had invited us a few days earlier, and we knew that that was the home to go and visit. As we arrived, this family was out of sorts...kind of grumpy and unhappy. But, as we visited and tried to cool things down...it ended up being a wonderful experience. The son, who is divorced and on the verge of inactivity, asked us how we gained our testimony. As I sat and pondered...I realized that my testimony has solidified all thanks to my mission experiences. I have come to see the Lord Jesus Christ as a closer friend, I know that NO ONE is too far to taste the relieving waters of the Atonement, I have gained a greater testimony of the experiences of the prophet Joseph Smith and realize what a miracle the Book of Mormon is for us to have. The gospel means EVERYTHING to me...it what makes and holds happy forever families together. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and we truly DO become closer to Him if we read it every day. As I have been sick, I haven't had chances to read the Book of Mormon, and when I feel better I feel distant from the Lord...and when you feel this way, we are counseled to dive into the sacred books and repent del nostro allontanza...um...we repent of our farther...um...we repent from moving ourselves away from Him. And then we are blessed with His spirit once more. I am nervous for the day when I have to board the plane...it's getting closer and closer...and i don't want to lose this beautiful gift which I have been given...of always feeling the Spirit. It makes me think of what movies am I going to see...what music am I going to listen to...it seems like NO MOVIES and only EFY are in my category...but I am sure it will take some prayer and sincere pondering to see what music and what movies are good in the sight of the Lord. You see that beautiful pan of brownies and you want to take a bite...but would you still take a bite if you knew it was made with just a little bit of dog poop? Or you see that DELICIOUS ice cream sunday and it is everything you are craving...but then just half a cockroach is sticking out of it....would you eat it anyway?
It's such a fine line in keeping the Spirit with us and not being as the jews...hypocrites in word and deed. It is so important to stay close to the Lord, do wholesome activities that bring your families closer together...you won't have this time again. It makes me a little sad to not be apart of all the fun things that my family is doing back at home, but I am learning key tools that will not only change me but also my future family and will bless us through the eternities. Which in turn, I too can make little memories with my siblings and parents upon returning home...with the little time that I will have.
The Lord has a plan for each and every one of us...and my companion is reminding me daily that the Lord really is aware of every situation that we find ourselves in. As Joseph and Hyrum Smith would always say "Whatever happens...the Lord is in it." Oh! That brought tears to my eyes....I know it's true. Whatever happens in your life, the Lord is in it. Whatever sorrow or pain you may be suffering, our Savior Jesus Christ has already suffered and wants to relieve you of it all...He's in our sufferings to bless us. Allow Him to help you...allow Him to heal you. He paid a debt that we can never repay, and all He asks is for us to follow Him and keep His commandments.
I testify that Jesus is the Christ, and that He is our Savior and Redeemer. Even though my time in Italy is drawing nigh, my mission will not stop here. Your mission continues. You learn things to change you and your life here in the mission, and upon returning you magnify it all and live as a disciple of Christ for the rest of your life. Pray to the Lord to place someone in your path that you could help today...maybe consider bringing a Book of Mormon with you and giving it to someone who may be searching. If you don't know that the Book of Mormon is true...the Lord will tell you in His own way that is personal to you...if you TRULY desire to know. We did not come to this earth to be led astray...but to be shown the way and magnify it. I testify that the Prophet Joseph Smith did INDEED see God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Why couldn't he have seen them? God can do whatever He wants. I know that President Monson has been called of God to lead and guide this people unto repentance and salvation...and how grateful I am to my ancestors who accepted this gospel so that I could be raised by goodly parents and be born in the covenant. I too will do the same someday, and how grateful I am for the sealing powers...for whatsoever shall be bound on earth shall be bound in heaven if it is found good in the sight of the Lord. Death, where is thy victory? Thy sting has been muted for the eternities are true! This I testify in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
p.s. Every time I step out into the cold, I remember that April showers bring May flowers! And even the gray skies emphasize the beauty of the...well...grafiti :) And flower blossoms when we see them :) So, when skies are gray in your life...look for the beauty because it's still there!!
Until next time!!
baci e abbracci,
sorella bowman
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