Update on Italy

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Hello to everyone,

Received a call yesterday from Camille's mission mom, Sorella Wolfgren.  She sounds like a wonderful person.  She called to say that Camille arrived just fine.  She said p-days are on Wednesdays so we won't hear from her till next week.  Also told me that she was going to be sent to Modena, Italy.  Home of the famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti, balsamic vinegar, Mazerratis and Ferraris.  IT's a beautiful city, she said.  But what city in Italy wouldn't be??  She went on to thank us for sending such a wonderful young lady and how prepared and strong Camille is.  She said, "we've only been around her for a few hours, but the mission President and I have fallen in love with her".  Must be her contagious laugh!!  Almost made me cry because we love her so much and are so excited.  Who would have thought that there would be so much excitement on our parts as parents with our two children out serving??  It is just awesome.  Here is her address for the next 16 months.  Long ago two stamps would have worked but I went on line today to check postage and it said for 1 ounce it was $1.82.  YIKES!!  I am gonig to go to the post office and check that personally.  Sounds kind of high.

I will keep you all posted.  Thanks for your prayers.

Love,

Rosalee 

Sorella Camille Bowman

Missione Italiana di Milano

Via A. Gramsci 13/4

20090 Opera (MI)

Italy

Off to Milan!!!

Hello to everyone,

Well, no letter to pass on but we did get to talk to her today.  She has a grueling flight to Milan.  She started this morning at 7:15am and will get to Milan tomorrow morning about 10am.  She called this morning to catch the kids and Anthony at 6:30am and then called to talk to me from the Chicago airport.  They have almost a 4 hour layover.  It was a good conversation.  SHE IS SOOOO HAPPY.  She kept saying over and over that she just couldn't imagine NOT going on this mission.  I had to laugh because she said that if she gets to 25 and is not married, SHE'S GOING ON ANOTHER MISSION!!  LOL!  Good for her.  I guess we better plant a money tree!!!  

They are traveling in a group of about 18....4 sisters and the rest elders.  She said they were having lunch and she said a little prayer that they would have the chance to share the gospel with someone in the airport.  Not 2 minutes later a pilot came up and was very curious about young ladies and going on missions.  He thought only men went.  He explained that he has been interested in the church for a long time but not quite sure how to go about it.  Camille pulled out a Book of Mormon but he said he already had one, so another sister pulled out a mormon.org card and gave that to him.  Needless to say...they were so totally excited and talked for quite awhile with him.  

Just wanted to share that with you all and once again thank you all for your prayers and support.  Please pray today that the plane will function properly and that the pilot will be alert and that our precious cargo make it safely to Frankfurt, Germany and then on to Milan!!  

Love,

Rosalee (Sister Bowman)

Last P-Day!!! Week 8

Dear Everyone,

So, just to recap her letter, you can dearelder.com her till Monday.  No more emails as she won't get them and I don't know if they will forward her letters if they come late.  Here is her address in Italy...send a letter NOW and maybe it will be there in the office waiting for her???  Thanks again.

Rosalee

Missione Italiana di Milano

Via A. Gramsci 13/4

20090 Opera (MI)

Italy

 

Wed, May 11, 2011 at 7:30 AM

 

MOOOM!!!

 

First off, I was totally jealous that Daniel got to skype you all...I was pretty bummed Mother's Day! I hope you had a good one! What was Daniel wishing the girls good luck for?? I know this is earlier than usual, but today is a busy day and I have a lot to do before we take off on TUESDAY!! SO...first things first...

 

TRAVEL PLANS!! I took a lot of pictures, and I'm sending them home today. Speaking of which, I sent a box home last week...did you get it? And I'm sending home 2 boxes today...hopefully you'll get those too. I'm sending home my hairdryer because I don't want to risk shooting it...People say that the dryers just get shot, regardless of your converter. So I am just going to buy one there. Good thing my hair is curly! AND I sent home my curler because my hair is just too long now and it's time consuming..

 

Okay, sorry, plans :  LEAVING: SLC, UT 07:12am MAY 17, 2011

                               ARRIVING: Chicago/O Hare, IL 11:21 am MAY 17, 2011

                               LEAVING: Chicago/O Hare, IL 3:40pm MAY 17, 2011

                               ARRIVING: Frankfurt, Germany Fed 6:50am MAY 18, 2011

                               LEAVING: Frankfurt, Germany Fed 8:45am MAY 18, 2011

                               ARRIVING: Milan, Italy 9:55am MAY 18, 2011

So there we are! We have to be at the travel office at 4:00am...yikes, I know. As far as the aiport, I'm pretty sure you'd be ridiculous if you tried to come. So really, don't worry about it. I'll probably call you during my layover in Chicago. I'm going to buy a calling card today so that I don't have to worry about it at all :) I can't wait to talk with you all!! PLEASE dearelder.com me with all the details regarding what number you want to call and anything else you'd like me to know about the family. No more email access for me...at least until next week sometime. I don't know when P-Day is in Italy. Oh! So an explanation as to why I am sending so much stuff home. It's not that I don't want them, but I really have to be smart now. The rule for our flight is only ONE 50lb bag, ONE 18lb carry-on, and ONE small bag like a purse. The second 50lb bag is going to be $50 and that's ONLY if it's in weight limit. I have a feeling I'm going to be okay, but I just have to be smart and do without some things. Crazy huh?? And I am also curious, do I have at least $200 on my VISA card?? I'm not quite sure...could you let me know? And if you get a chance, I'd like my white shrug I decided to leave home...I just need more coveralls/shrugs to go over my shadeshirts...so maybe that and my jeans vest?? I have a purple button shrug in my summer box that I'd like too. :) PLEASE!! Sweaters are just too warm, and the shirts by themselves are a little awkward. If you can't, I understand. I'll just make do!

 

THANK YOU DAD SO MUCH FOR THE FLOWERS!! They truly made my day! Ever since Mother's Day and knowing Daniel got to skype, I have been so sad...I haven't heard from ANYONE lately. Sob story...I was the only one in my district to not get a letter the past couple days. And so...the flowers made ALL the difference. THank you thank you thank you!! 

 

Um, let's see...This week has gone by so fast! In our PMG a challenge was given to go without something for a week to kind of feel how an investigator would feel going through addiction recovery. Sorella Jones and I decided to give up chocolate, cookies, sweet breads, cake, pudding, gelato...basically anything and everything sweet. It was SO HARD!! I couldn't believe how much my body wanted the sugar. I never really ate a whole lot, but just going COMPLETELY without it.....gosh it was crazy. BUT we did it!! We finished it last night and celebrated with homemade oreo cookies from a package Sorella Jones got. And truth be told, they weren't that appetizing. They were delicious...BUT I didn't want them as bad as I thought I would! Okay, so here's a fun story...WE have to sleep with our window open because our room is just like a furnace! So the other night, around 4:30am (as told by Sorella Baker) there was SOMETHING flying around our room!!! Like scratching at the vents and everything!! It scared Sorella Baker SO BAD!! And she just pulled the sheets over her head. I guess it flew out or crawled into our vents...we're pretty sure it was a bat. Wanna know what the word for bat is in Italian...pipstrella!! IS THAT NOT THE MOST HILARIOUS WORD EVER?! I died laughing...well I do that everyday anyways, but I did it pretty hard that time when I looked it up.

 

On a spiritual note, we got to teach our progressive investigator...Stefano again yesterday. Sorella Jones and I felt that he was ready for the Plan of Salvation and had this really cool idea, thanks to Heavenly Father, to relate the PoS to the game of Soccer. We worked for about 2 hours on it...We were even late to gym because of it. But, we were pleased and SO excited to share it. We get to our appointment, and walk it and do the small talk of how are you's and things. Sorella Jones starts into the lesson and I just get this impression that it's not what we are supposed to teach. She's still talking and I just get this calm feeling that she'll stop talking...and not 30 seconds later, she did. Our whole lesson consisted of the importance of prayer and how prayer is our key to gaining knowledge. The fact that Heavenly Father knows HIM by name, just as He did with Joseph Smith and with all of us. The Spirit was so strong, we just knew the truth. So, all in all, our 2 hour lesson plan never happened. All the Anziani were SHOCKED but were thrilled with what happened. It was just great for me to experience. The ideas flowed, but I KNOW Heavenly Father was trying to see how hard both of us would work. We worked SO HARD and yet, we were willing to follow the Spirit and forsake the lesson completely and just listen. I know our investigator felt the Spirit, and I'm so glad to know that I AM GROWING UP! and I am growing into a woman that I am proud of! My knowledge of the gospel, my ability to love people and teach people, and my ability to teach by the spirit has COMPLETELY increased! I AM SO BLESSED!!! Thank you all for your prayers...they are being felt!

 

I only have 2 minutes left, but I am just thrilled to be here. And leaving for Italy soon!! I have 2 English BoM and 1 Italian Bom to give in the airports...as well as Pass Along Cards. Please pray for me to find those who are searching!

 

Love you all!!!!

 

Con amore sempre,

Sorella Camille Bowman

 

p.s. If you all send DearElder.com's I'll get them until Monday. Hand written letters...well I don't know...but I leave EARLY Tuesday so Monday will be the last day. Italy is the way to go pretty soon!!!!! LOVE YOU!!!

13 Days Until Italy!

Hummm....I'm all teary eyed.  Having kids on missions is truly the most wonderful blessing and most humbling experience.  However, I think Camille and Daniel are far more mature than I was when I went.  It's definitely a testament of the last days and a stronger generation.  Each generation gets stronger and stronger as we get closer to the Second Coming.  ~sigh~  For whatever reason the spirit is touching me very softly today.  Maybe he's just letting me know that once again, this work is true and it MUST go forward and we all need to "put our shoulders to the wheel" and do whatever we can.  GADS!  It's hard here in Utah where EVERYONE in your neighborhood is a member. But.... there are a few scattered here and there.  I just need to pray for the opportunity and be ready when it presents itself.  Ok.  Read on....her letter is full of energy and excitement.  I'm nervous about her leaving but I know the Lord will be with her.  Daniel seems to be doing just fine in all the rain and such.  He's just says he's "always drenched and happy" but the sun is making is debut there AS WELL AS HERE IN UTAH!!  Yahoo!!

Love you all and thanks for your prayers and support to our kiddos.

Rosalee

Wed, May 4, 2011 at 11:59 AM

CIAO AMICI E FAMIGLIA!!

Yes, you guessed it...can you believe it?! I have 13 days until I am on a plane headed to Milan, Italy. I get my flight plans tomorrow and I am just SO EXCITED! Last week was slightly overwhelming because the reality of it all just hit me SO HARD. It really feels like in 2 weeks we should be going home...but no...I am SO BLESSED to be going to another country, one of the most BEAUTIFUL COUNTRIES in the WORLD for 16 months!! Today as I was walking home from the temple with my companion, we smelled Pizza in the air and both of us were thinking "Man, some GREAT pasta and GREAT pizza sounds soo good right now.." And what do you know? WE WILL HAVE IT IN 2 WEEKS!! Everyone is just so excited for us, and the work is BOOMING in Italy. Slla Jones and I have 2 progressing investigators this week...Pietro and Stefano. Pietro is...interesting. He is very proud of his culture and proud of himself. We get to teach him today and I'm excited...he just makes me laugh...frequently. Stefano is a 23 year old professional Soccer Player for Italy...and oh man...he is GORGEOUS. And I'm not saying this to be weird...he was an investigator of one of my teachers and so my teacher is re-enacting Stefano's character for us...but my teacher DID show us a picture...I mean, man, the people of Italy are just BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE!! I'll REALLY need to pray that the Lord will loose my tounge when I run into these people. There is an Italian sister here named Sister Lui and she is from Verona, Italy. She is just the bubbliest little thing and ALL the Sorelle ADORE her!! She is headed to temple square on her mission and is just so excited she has people to talk to in her native tongue. All the Anziani flock to her too...they just get so tongue tied...it's pretty funny to watch. We still have Anziano Mongelli here too and his English is coming along!

The new Anziani and Sorelle came in this past Wednesday and the orientation that I stressed myself out about went just fine. I left M&M packets on their desks Friday morning and it seemed to really comfort them. ON Sunday I found a little box of candy from one of the new elder's saying thank you! They come up randomly and say "Ti Amo" and i just gently remind them that for sisters it's "Ti Voglio Benne" (the softer form of I Love You) They'll get it eventually. The Sisters are wonderful. There are only 2 of them this time, but they work hard and they are doing just fine. I feel so blessed to have the calling that I do and the abilities that the Lord is blessing me with. I want to help people...that's all I want to do...and this calling helps me accomplish that!

I'm getting a little overwhelmed with the thought of packing, but I'm taking it one step at a time and getting rid of things as I go :) Mom, I'll write what I need in my hand-written letter because I don't want to bore others with my worldly desires ;)

The Lord truly does bless those He calls...and He qualifies them to the ultimate maximum. We had a heartbreaking experience this week...Monday morning to be exact. One of our Elder's had to go home. He was called to the office at 9:00am and told that he had 3 hours to pack and he was on his way. Our Fratelli explained that this was a good thing...he'll be able to take care of things that only HE can take care of for his family. He kept saying it was family problems and that he didn't want to go, especially with such small time left in the MTC...but he knew it was right and is just praying for the Lord to guide him. We all promised him letters, and I cannot explain how heartbroken I was. He was arrogant at times, and drove me nuts...but seeing the fact that he was going home, broke my heart into a million pieces. Yep...I sobbed. When I look back, he really was genuine and served with his whole little heart. He is in my prayers and I hope he will be in yours too...he definitely needs it. Anziano Bryce J. Hays. It really taught me to never let your issues with people keep you from loving them. I never STOPPED loving him, like I was always kind...but sometimes I would roll my eyes or something...shame on me. I have prayed for even MORE patience since this experience and I really feel the Lord helping me. That night, Monday night, the spirit was SO STRONG as we sang Nearer MY God To Thee...I looked around at all the faces in my district and it just really sounded like the most heartfelt prayer I have ever heard in my life. I was SO GRATEFUL for that! I told the Anziani that they would be in my prayers and I testified that the Lord truly was here comforting us with the Holy Spirit.

My fears and worries that occurred last week are being put to rest. We had an AMAZING devotional about faith last night, and what touched me the most was Elder Nelson's sstory that was shared about heart surgery. If the Lord can guide Elder Nelson in repairing someone's heart at the moment that he needed it...he can help me with my significantly smaller issues. BUT...if it's important to me...then it IS important to the Lord. And I know that...with everything that I am! We were also  counseled to share things...he who keeps, loses...but he who shares, keeps. And so, my love, from now on ,will be shared. For some reason, I have a really hard time expressing love for people...Sorella Jones is ALWAYS saying how much she loves me and appreciates me...and I just feel awkward. But, she knows I'm seriously, seriously trying. And it's taking a lot of prayer, but I'm getting better! :)

I AM becoming someone great, and I look forward to seeing who I am 16 months from now. I KNOW my testimony is increasing everyday and that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ lives! I'm HERE TO SHARE THE GOSPEL TO ALL THE WORLD!

Time's out...PENSO A VOI!! (I am thinking of you)

Con amore sempre a tutti, (with love always for all)

Sorella Camille Bowman

Ciao!!

April 27, 2011

Dear everyone,

No letter from Camille yesterday.  I was so sad.  If we get a hand written letter and there's stuff to share from there, I'll type it out and share it.  She must of had a busy p-day because she KNOWS how I wait for those letters.  It better have been important AND fun!  ( ;

Rosalee

Yahoo!  Made my day.  Looks like they had a p-day change.  Thanks for everyone's interest and prayers for our kiddos out serving.

Love,

Rosalee

 

Wed, Apr 27, 2011 at 1:17 PM

Ciao cara mia famiglia e amici!

Sorry that the letter came today, the MTC is totally REVAMPING everything and that includes complete schedule changes for EVERYONE. It's been hard to adjust, but I think I'll come to like it. Gramma Egbert, thank you so much for your letter. I am absolutely THRILLED about this situation with the family. It really brought tears to my eyes (which, by the way, is NOT uncommon around here). I just feel SO BLESSED. I honestly canNOT believe that Italy is truly around the corner...3 weeks!! But...no one is counting of course ;) Before I get into the meat of my experiences this week, I'd love to thank you Mom for the WOnDERFUL package you sent. The elders were ALL truly touched and it was such a wonderful lesson for me to learn. Unselfish service really does change lives...and I am SO GRATEFUL for it! I want it to be apart of my life forever and always...even when things are tough for me, to see the joy in others because of the willing service I could give...is worth more than anything in the world. So Mom, you will be blessed for everything you are doing for me and the elders and sister in my district. They LOVE YOU and hope that they'll have a wife like you someday...hahahah!! Um, as far as things I need...i need another razor...i lost it somehow...i have NO idea. Just the Venus one with 5 blades...I have some refills and I'd like to stick with that kind. My roommate lent me a disposable one, until I can get a new one..so...please?? Um, could you ask Cadha if she ever gave my tithing to the bishop? She sometimes forgets, and that's really important!! I LOVED the CD player and CD's...it was TOTALLY unexpected!! Thank you thank you thank you!! But with that...could I get a copy of that CD of yours? The one you heard of at the funeral you went to?? I'd really love it...and if you feel like it, a CD called Images of Christ...some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard!! So that's about it...OH! And if you ever go up to Idaho soon...snag my guitar back please...I'm picking it up when I get back home..I felt I needed to!

 

So today the new Anziani e Sorelle are coming...there's only 16 all together so it'll be interesting to see how things plan out. I'm very excited though because i get to meet them and really interact with them because of my calling. tanner petersen is reporting today if I remember correctly, and so I'm keeping my eyes peeled for him. Interestingly enough, we have had 2...yes TWO APOSTLES of the Lord come and speak to us in less than 8 days. Every Tuesday after devotional, we gather as a district to discuss the meeting. After Elder Richard G. Scott's talk last week, the spirit was IMMENSE!! I cannot TELL you how amazing it was. As my turn came around to share, I started bawling...sheesh, I do that all the time. But, the truth is so far greater than me that I cannot CONTAIN IT!! I really started bawling when an Anziano was called again to speak and he started crying. We were all so concerned because he's been contemplating thoughts of returning home...but he looked up and said, with so much solemnity..."Tonight, an apostle of the Lord came to speak to us...and he did NOT answer my prayer. But...Sorella Bowman did." And of course, I started bawling uncontrollably. It is SO AMAZING how hard the Lord works to bring His children close to Him. I want to be His tool and NEVER miss an opportunity to teach, testify, love, and bring others to Christ. As I was sitting in the temple today, an older sister was crying...and grandmother I suppose. but as I watched her, I just felt Heavenly father's love for her and i started crying too!! I felt her pain and just wanted to help her so much...And I can do that because I'm a missionary...ha-ha...free ticket to talk to people whenever I want. And even with that...We all can talk to people whenever we want. I LOVE testifying of this gospel and what I want, for the rest of my life, is to help heal souls...to serve with all my heart, put others first and just bring joy that I feel into their lives. I want EVERYONE to feel this joy that I do...to realize HOW MANY TImeS THE LORD IS IN OUR LIVES. I want to help heal souls, just as the Savior did...and I'm in His hands...so I better be darn prepared to do it. Elder Dallin H, Oaks came tonight and spoke about the importance of the work. And I realized, as comparing to Elder Scott's visit...Elder Scott was ALL ABOUT healing the soul and once the soul is healed, it's time to get to work. it's been on my mind lately because many souls in our district have needed healing. I've received notes from some just saying to never stop laughing and being who I am because I'll make a difference. When I think, goodness, I NEVER would have thought anything about it. How BLESSED and HUMBLED I am to be in the presence of these young men and how BLESSED I am to be serving my God and my Savior. You see the broken hearts, how MANY broken hearts just need to come to know of the Balm of Gilead? And how many times do we pass by the broken stranger, simply because America has a culture of how awkward it is to say hello. When you have a joy within you, and you cultivate it...you HAVE to share it. No more friends and family, no more will I be silent. Joseph Smith did NOT lose his life for this gospel, nor did the Savior lose His life for nothing. I do what I do because He did what He did. The Savior gave His life for us all...And now it's up to me to help others find their own lives through Him. And what greater work could I be doing?? I've changed ladies and gents, but I KNOW it's for the better. Why, after all this time, have I NOT opened my mouth and shared the truth?? It's TRULY PRECIOUS...and everyone deserves it. It makes me laugh out of sheer joy as to HOW BleSSED I am and how underserving I am of all the Blessings. I had an experience this past week that AMAZED me as to how the Lord's hand was in my day almost EVERY HOUR. On monday we all received new service schedules, and there are things called Narnia HOles, where old elders stick things in for the new elders to find. A letter was found by one of our Anziani that testified, from an elder LONG AGO, how important it was to stay on a mission. How he regrets leaving his early and returning home, all because he wanted material things back. His story was TRULY heartbreaking, but a true testament of how important the work is. So our Anziano brings it back to the room and Sorella Jones reads it first, and then I take a whack at it. Interrruptions would come and I could never finish it. The story unfolds as to that we had gym class, but I had to go home because I forgot some things, we run into a Russian sister who tells of her conversions story so we end up not working out and going home early. We change and head to class, all the while 2 of our Anziani find a random letter on the floor and head to 1M to give it to the front desk. They return to class (where we are) and say that an elder has decided to go home. Without much words being said, we ALL FOUR OF uS rush back to the 1M building and give him the letter. I can't explain what I felt, because I did all the talking...They just assumed I would do it because I still had the letter in my hands. Anyway, I testified of his need to be here (his bags were packed and he was ready to go) but I told him to read the letter before he stepped outside the doors. We shook his hand and testified a little more and left. Immediately we found a chapel and had one of our elders offer a prayer of faith unto our Lord. our elder said a beautiful prayer which brought tears to HIS eyes...and it's just amazing what the Lord does to just save one soul.

 

time is out...but family and friends...I know who I am. I am a SERVANT and DAUGHTER of the Lord. I am going forth to save souls!!

 

Vi Amo,

Sorella Camille Bowman

Here It Is!!

When I get her handwritten letter I will forward anything that may seem appropriate.  Thank you for your love and support.  She is growing in many more ways than I ever did.  It's a beautiful thing.

Love,

Rosalee

Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 4:39 PM

 

 

I have definitely saved the best for last. In my letter home, please feel free to email some  of the things included. I don't have a lot of time to explain, so I'm only including an AMAZING experience I had yesterday that has completely changed my life...I love you all and thank you all for the support!! The internet has been dumb so time is short. The language is coming, but this experience really does sum up everything for this week:

 

Monday April 18, 2011

 

In the TRC today I was blesswed with the experience to feel love for another person. It was an absolutely beautiful and overwhelming experience. With this sister I felt my Father's love for her, so full and so overwhelming that I literally burst into tears. I couldn't contain the reality and the beauty of the truth. Heavenly Father does love her and manifest throught that experience, I know it for myself too. her name was eliza (el leet sah) and she was from Firenze, from Florence. A ReAL sorella from italy. She knows one of our teachers and I don't know her story. After our experience, Fllo Bulloch said that he thought he understood her branch in florence was struggling and she came here to teh MTC for help. I'm telling you, Fllo Bulloch was insprired. At first we were with another sister and two other Anziani were with Eliza. As we were doing the 15 minute instructions I guessed these two Anzi were messing around and interrupting and being so rude to her and immature. Fllo Bulloch was pretty upset, so before we went back for the 30 minute lesson, Fllo Bulloch switched us. We walked into teh room, introduced ourselves and started right in. She started telling us that the boys, not missionaries, but boys were nice but she didn't really like them. Interesting. We asked her what her questions were. The experience was absolutely amazing. She was hard to understand, but we understand most, if not all she said. Her dialect was a little slurred, but beautiful nonetheless. I'll be honest, when she walked into the TRC i wanted to teach her. Anyway, so gives her backgound and just doesn't udnerstand the significance of the BoM and how a boy could see God and Jesus. Her questions were so real and so heartfelt. The experience was SO real.  I can't and WILL NOT deny the reality and puritty of the situation. The spirit was there and on FIRE. I will NEVER deny it. At one point she didn't udnerstand how the Book came to be and so I just started explaining about Nephi's origin and how they left Jerusalem and into the desert and from there Nephi built a boat and sailed the America. Years later, as the prophets inscribed upon the plates Moroni left his last testament before he buried them in the ground...His dying words were to testify of Christ and buried the tablets only years later for a young boy to be guided to them by the hand of God. In all honesty, i don't remember how we got to the pinnacle of the experience. there was a point where Slla Jones asked Eliza if she thought God loved her brother (a member) more than her...and she said yes. Next thing I remember is testifying that God loved her and I started sobbing. I couldn't control it but I knew it, Sorella Jones knew it and that was ALL I could tell her. With every fiber with my soul, I KNEW God loved her. THAT was the pinnacle. I struggled with the language before, but at the point, I was filled literally filled with a tangible sense to testify that she was loved and that prayer was her key. God wanted to here from her, the BoM is true, and that Joseph Smith was...in reality...a prophet of God. Eliza cried, I cried, Sorella Jones cried. An experience more precious and beautiful than anything I could ever behold...ever...in my life. I hope for more expereiences like these. I want to work hard and I want to be prepared for the Lord to use me. Today, Slla Jones and I were prepared and it was a tender mercy for me to know that the Lord trusts me and is currently pleased iwth my efforts. When we paused, it took a few moments of repitition, but she was asking what was it that she was feeling. Amazing. I cannot deny the power and reality that was in that room. The HG, the Holy Ghost was what she was feeling. I promised her that she would feel this feeling again when she prayed and read the book of mormon. I PROMISED HER. The bell kept ringing, but I was not moving until she knew what I knew. She said she would pray, and only then, after we taught her how to pray did we leave. Slla Jones and I just sobbed. As we discuss this experience more and more, I realize that this was a blessing...not only for both, but for me. I can teach in Italian and I need to find people and I need to love them with all my heart. I'm only a tool in the Lord's hands..but I am worthy to do such. i rejoice in my god and the blessings He gives me in my life. I can't express the beauty of the whole experience. It was ABSOLUTELY beyond me,...but I could NOT stop. Words were coming and I could NOT stop. Sorella Jones told me that at a point she felt impressed to not say a word...Amazing how the spirit works. Earlier today, before this whole experience Slla Jones and I were studying PMG and reading it as an investigator would. We read lesson 3 and then lesson 1. As I read about Joseph Smith, the truth was GIVEN to me. Why COULDN'T the Lord restore the Gospel to Joseph Smith? Why couldn't He? He has a body of flesh and bones...i KNOW Joseph Smith saw god the Father and Jesus Christ. I have always known it was true...with lots of faith...but at that moment, it became REAL. I know and I cannot deny it. This gospel is no longer a thing of faith for me, but a real and tangible gift. I feel as joseph Smith. I know that God knows it, just as I know it, and I cannot deny it. A marvelous work is about to come forth and italy will blossom as a rose. I want to be apart of it, and I will do all I can to bring it to pass. I know God lives and He is real. What a beautiful gift, and I am going to strive to live for it again.
 

The Lord has blessed me with so much. Our teacher just spoke to us saying that we are not just boys and girls. We carry the name of Jesus Christ and are set apart as such. And it's true Through the Love, help and guidance of HF, I am becoming someone great. I really am not just some girl...I am a SORELLA...I am a missionary of Jesus Christ. I really AM of a different wood and I will have and am having experiences that are changing and will change my life forever. I am someone very special to Heavenly Father and I always want to be worthy of His love and power to teach."

 

Friends and Family, i testify of the truthfulness of this whole experience. We are invited to bring others unto Christ, and though I am not there with you, I hope, honestly HOPE that this story and beautiful blessing helped you feel of the Saviors love also. Words can't describe the situation or the power I feel within me. I'm glowing...that's all I can say...is that I glow :) Please dismiss the errors, I don't have time to go back and fix them all...but this experience has changed my life and I hope it improved yours in a little way :) The time to act is now. i was in the temple surrounded by glittering chandeliers, and the thing I noticed was the one crystal that moved. Among the lights, we have the ability to sparkle...and THAT'S how we'll share the gospel to the world. Allow the Lord to move you with His hand, thus catching the attention of some wayfaring soul. We have a light to give...the Light of Jesus Christ. He loves me and I love Him...He is REAL and I will NEVER deny the power of this gospel and the beauty of the Atonement. Embrace this gift and be willing to share it with others...

 

It's now dinner, but I hope this finds you well!!

 

Con amore sempre,

Sorella Camille Bowman

Buongiorno!

Happy Birthday Jared!!  (That's MY baby brother and Camille's Uncle for those who don't know him).  Sounds like Camille is having a blast and I'm not offended in the least that she has NO desire to be home.  We are thrilled with that because we know she loves us and DOES love being home but NOT RIGHT NOW!!  We are soooo good with that!.  Hope you enjoy her letter.  

Rosalee

Tue, Apr 5, 2011 at 10:25 AM

Wow, wow, wow!! I wasn't expecting so many emails in my mailbox...I haven't read any of them, so I won't be able to answer questions until later :( Mi dispiace... ANYWAY!!!

 

So, I was totally bummed to hear that my last email sounded like I was a stress basket! I guess that was my fault! Yeah, it was a hard week, BUT there were so many blessings given too!! So, I'll try better to not sound so stressed :)

 

This past week has just been amazing! Stress level has gone down SO MUCH!! The language is really coming along...we had to teach a progressive investigator strictly in Italian yesterday and I did it! My companion was struggling for words, which NEVER happens, but I was able to communicate freely for like 20 minutes! Constant conversation and even some joking too!! It's just amazing that once we let the Lord take control of our lives, we can do whatever He needs us to do! the gift of tongues is really and truly a gift...I've had it taken away, I've had it been given...it just all depends upon your effort. Sorella Jones and I are getting along great :) She still struggles with my calling because she's been in the spotlight her whole life and just can't get used to the idea that I have more responsibility. I had to be straight forward with her in telling her that she is doing just fine and just because she doesn't have more responsibility does NOT mean she isn't capable. That mental block for her has been a struggle in our companionship, but we had a Comp Inventory yesterday and cleared it up :) It will still be an issue for her, but I am just praying for guidance as to how to help her overcome it all. But, aside from that, we're pretty much best friends and laugh EVERYDAY...and laugh HARD. Our Anziani pretty much adore us :) Speaking of Anziani, we have decided to step it up in our conduct and all aspects to really start focussing on our missionary efforts. They like to talk about home, and girls, and family, and girls, and school, and girls...It gets old pretty fast. One elder believes that his mission won't start until he gets a DearJohn...the only problem is, he has no one to DearJohn him....I'll never understand. ?:Z  But, don't get me wrong, they ARE a great group of missionaries...just trying to figure out how to get out of being 19. It freaks them out every once in a while that Sorella Jones and I are 21...as old as some of their older siblings...and it's weird to think that they are the same age as Daniel...if not younger.

 

So funny things happen pretty much every day, and the most fun I've had has been with language comprehension. Basically, we were learning how to formulate gerunds and such and we have one elder who just STRUGGLES with pronunciation. And so he starts his sentence "Sto leggendo mio..." so that translates " I am reading my..." and so as he is speaking I'm translating in my head (mind you, I laugh at EVERYTHING) but the next word he says just shocks me..."Sto leggendo mio diario" but he didn't pronounce it right...so it sounded like die-ah-ree-o...instead of dee-ah-ri-o....And of course, I turned my head to stop from laughing. My eyes got really big and I caught another elder's face and I just lost it...and so did everyone else. AS A DISCLAIMER I didn't laugh loud, it was silent...with tears streaming down my face. Until like, all the anziani just burst out laughing...even our teacher did too. We were all pretty stressed, and so it just helped relieve it. The anziani pretty much just wait to see what I'll laugh at next...and try to find things that make me laugh :) We were encouraged in one of our devotionals to just laugh and relax and enjoy life :) That's what we just do..if the language gets tough, we just laugh about it. They have been really good about calming Sorella Jones and I down when we get nervous about the TRC or anything in strictly Italian. We just have this drive to do it right :) But we love them so much and just can't wait to see what they are like 6 weeks from now, and even after their missions :) Oh! The other game we played, we had to split into teams and Fratello Bulloch would put 6 words on the board and one partner would be facing, the other not. So I wasn't and my partner was Anziano Madsen from Rigby, Idaho who has a laugh that is just amazing...deep and heartfelt! Anyway, he was trying to help me guess the word for "lunch" and the other only catch was we could only speak in italian. So here's this elder trying to figure out what the HECK to say, and finally he resorts to Santa's reindeer...the word was "pranzo" So he starts, with his hands like antlers "Uh, Dasher, Dancer..." all the while trying to sound italian. I finally got it, but was just crying from laughing so hard! It's great...I am LOVING the MTC.

 

I hope everyone got to see the special on the MTC after conference. Can you believe it?! PRESIDENT MONSON MENTIONED THE ROME TEMPLE...IN CONFERENCE?!? The eternal city is receiving eternal ordinances! What a blessing I have to go forth and teach the people!! Mama mia!! Che bello!! COnference was exactly what i needed...a true blessing! I decided to write down questions this time, and every single talke answered at least one! All were answered in many different ways...and from that point on, I have had SO MANY REASONS to be joyful!! I just fall on my face in gratitude pretty much everyday. The Lord is just blessing me. Of course, I know the Lord has more up His sleeve, but He only cuts me down because He loves me and is shaping me to what I can become. Some people are getting homesick, but no offense, I'm not. When I think about coming home, it is like weird to think about. I have no desire to...I have so much to learn, to teach and so many people to love! Our older district left today and so now it's up to us to step up to the plate. It's SO EXCITING!! howabout I just dedicate my life and be a missionary forever?? .haha scertzo (I joke) I am just so excited to share and learn. I just really feel like I'm sparkling again and I feel it all the time...especially when I just decide to listen. I've been doing that a lot too...just listening to what the sprirt has to say, and you really find beauty in the material you study, the people you talk with, the people you teach, and the language you are speaking. Che buona cosa...

 

Mom and Dad and Family, I just couldn't be happier! Thank you so much for everything!! My time is shorter this time beacuse the computer shut down mid email, so I'm scrambling. EVERYONE-Thank you SO MUCH for your letters...it really makes my day to hear from everyone!!

 

As far as needing things...Um, I'd like my black church coat...Gramma and Grampa probably gave it to you. My raincoat just doesn't keep me warm :( And the brown one is too heavy for right now. Also, my BYU-Idaho sweats (in my pants bucket in the barn) and some t-shirts :) Thank you thank you thank you!!

 

I love you all and just know, this work is the GREATEST!!!

 

Vi voglio benne e penso a vi,

Sorella Bowman