BUONGIORNO TUTTI!!
Yes, yes, I know...Don't think of the future, just think of right here...right now! But honestly, when dates and times start piling up and panic sets in that you only have THIS MUCH TIME LEFT...it's amazing how the Lord helps you submerge yourself in the work and forget...if only for a little bit. But, I can't help but notice how FAST the days go by...I don't remember time flying like this when I was home!! For crying out loud, we are getting ready for CONFERENCE!! That was 6 months ago!? And...in 2 days, (I just noticed the date on the clock here in the internet cafe), I'll have reached my year mark. Holy Moses...flies by way too fast!! I did receive some emails asking a couple things about my return...I'll be back in the US August 24, 2012 and yes, I will be starting school at BYU-Idaho in September. I'll have like 2 weeks to seem normal...I'm pretty sure I'll be carrying around my planner and such..timing travel time and studies. Haha...it'll be interesting the adjustments I'll need to make :) Haha Ams-I got your letter and don't worry, I'll happily go to the temple with you and I will HAPPILY watch your little chunker so you and Kevin can go on a date. No worries there. When you asked if I would go with you, my first thought was, well heck! I'll just watch Jack-Jack so she and Kevin can go together....and then you beat me to it! So, come middle of september, plan a good one with your hubby because the little chunker is mine!!!
So adjusting to the whole gluten and lactose free thing has been hit and miss every so often. I have been gluten free for quite a while, but I am finding milk does a little trouble too. Yet, I'm getting better and I am FEELING so much better...it's just my ankle now that still gives me troubles. But, all in a day's work, right?
This week was full of miracles...truly! We had 4 investigators in church on Sunday. The Lord literally placed these people in our laps! We found some long, lost less actives and part member families that we are really excited to call and get a move on with them. As we are working with the Assistants, we all felt that it would be really important to work with less actives and get this ward growing again. HOw can we bring in more sheep, if we can't even take care of the flock we have? We are so stressed for BAPTISMS!! BAPTISMS!! BAPTISMS!! And yes, it's truly important, but the scripture about finding the lost sheep has been ringing so strongly in my heart ever since I came to Milano. I can't imagine the joy we will have if we can help these sheep who have really wandered, RETURN unto their Savior once again.
I can't help but be so grateful as to how my mission has changed my life. If any of you reading this are thinking of a mission...do it! Or even if there is a missionary in your family, WRITE THEM! I can't express the joy we feel when we get letters..it's like Christmas on top of the amazing conferences we would have just had. (And yes...NOTE TO ALL MY "FRIENDS": If you haven't written me...awe c'mon! EPIC FAIL!! I want to hear from you!! And of course the " "...I was just joking ;D sort of hahah) But truly, the Lord has blessed my life with so many beautiful experiences, life changing moments, and tools to use in the future to make me a better person, student, wife and mother. Yes there are challenges, but you ALWAYS SEE the hand of the Lord in EVERYTHING that I experience. He has come closer to me in my life than ever before. And now that i think of it, HIS distance hasn't changed...It's me who's done the moving and changing and growing. And this I must be grateful for, and I am.
The Relief Society President said that the work here in Milan is going to grow TREMENDOUSLY and that we all have such a work to do. We have our 19 year old Evangelist Group Leader investigating, and his name is Gaetano. I have to have a LOT of patience with him because he asks SO MANY QUESTIONS and yet listens to NONE of the responses. ONe of the members approached me after church on Sunday and laughed telling me just to relax (he saw me praying during sacrament...and I admitted that yes I was PRAYING that Gaetano would be QUIET!!) But he just laughed and said to allow the ward take care of it. It's amazing how welcoming and friendly this ward is...how patient. I was stressing out because the past wards I've been in, if your investigator isn't "behaving", you better take care of it. Well, this ward isn't this way...and it's such a blessing. The other 2 investigators are a little shaky, but we haven't given up hope. New converts and LA are really a focus right now and the work is going in SUCH a different direction, but I'm sure it's going the way the Lord wants it to be...
That's all there is to report now! Keep us in your prayers to keep up the work of the Lord and bring back the Lost Sheep of His fold!!
love you all,
sorella bowman
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