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

Week 3 Already!!

Dear everyone,

Thanks for all your letters and support.  Camille truly loves all your letters.  She is doing great.

Love,

Rosalee

 

Tue, Mar 29, 2011 at 8:28 AM

CIAO!!!

What a great week this has completely been. I can't explain how much I have struggled and grown, and how much joy and happiness I have been blessed with. I'm going to include some journal entries this time...it's pretty accurate as to how my week has been. Business first...THANK YOU FOR ALL THE LETTERS!! To everyone, I can't explain how wonderful it is to hear from each of you. It's like Christmas after Lunch and Dinner...please write, even if it's a little note :) DEARELDER.COM is the way to go...seriously. You too Mom, I've seriously missed hearing from you this week. Speaking of letters, Mom, if you wouldn't mind, there is an Anziano in our district who has not recieved one letter since his stay here at the MTC...His name is Elder Luke Bradshaw, and he has the same address as me. If you could just DearElder.com him with some words of encouragement, that would be wonderful. He couldn't refrain from crying yesterday...it's a sad situation with his family and he's really, really struggling. Thank you so much! So...On to my week :))

Thursday March 24, 2011

BUONGIORNO!! I am SO tired, but I know today is going to be a good day. I'll work my hardest for it to be that way. :) It's personal study time right now and Iv'e decided to work on patience as an attribute of Christ. PMG asked us to ponder and study Alma 26; this is when Ammon is rejoicing in the Lord and bearing his testimony on the blessings of being patient. At frist I wasn't really reading the chapter, and I didn't even notice! BUT a little something just urged me to start over and REALLY read the chapter. I am SO glad I did (tender mercy!) because it brought a whole new light to being joyful in the Lord and to share the gospel among those who inhabit the earth. As a missionary myself, to BE like these men in the BoM! They STRUGGLED to bring souls unto Christ. In vs 27 the Lord promised them that if they "bear with patience thine afflictions" the Lord says "I will give unto you success"...Sometimes I get down when my weaknesses come up, but I have been able to look at my struggles in a whole new light! Bruce C. Hafen said: "Struggling with problems is at the very core of life's purpose. As we draw closer to Go, He will show us our weaknesses and through them make us wiser; stronger. If you're seeing more of your weaknesses, that just might mean you're moving nearing to God; not farther away." In the MTC our weaknesses are shown to us, I have definitely experienced that. I have had INTENSE struggles in such a short amount f time that I thought I was not doing good...? But in reality, it's because I'm working on coming closer to the Lord. I just have to be patient with myself. When I struggle, the Atonement can come into my heart and my joy becomes more full! Ammon speaks to his brothers, or rather TESTIFIES of the goodness of God and how they had only HOPED to bring ONE soul unto Christ as stated in vs 30. They were beaten, stoned, spit upon, cast out of cities, and yet they STILL pressed forward. And BECAUSE of their diligence in the work, the "fruits of their labors...are many" as stated in vs 31. they were able to, through the power of the Lord bring a whole city of the Lamanites unto the Lord! A WHOLE CITY had a complete change of heart and rejoiced in the knowledge of their Savior; they felt this So much so that they'd rather die than go to war and rather love the people who came up against them (33 &34). All the struggles will be worth it. How easy it may seem to give up in the moments of torment, and I really mean torment. But how BEAUTIFUL the PROMISE of the Lord, that if you "Bear with patience thine afflictions...(the Lord) will give unto you success." As missionaries and the person I'll be after the mission, I just have to keep fighting the good fight and bear my struggles with patience :) REJOICE OH MY HEART! AND SING THE SONG OF REDEEMING LOVE! (Alma 5:26 and 2 Nephi 4:30)

back to NOW...Little did I know that after this entry I would struggle even more. I have been on my face before the Lord mutlitple times...more times than I have been in my life. I don't have enough time to enter more journal entries, but let's just say I am growing...so much, and with that, experiencing growing pains. But the beauty of it all is, I am learning how to deal with it. The Atonement of the Lord has NEVER been more real in my life and prayers are answered ON MY BEHALF everyday. I cannot TESTIFY as to how I KNOW that the Lord hears and answers my prayers....in such short time too! I was given a calling on Sunday, right before Sacrament meeting and I am now the Coordinating Sister for the District. I'm basically a Sister Zone Leader. I'm in charge of all the sisters, interviews, introductions for the greenies, reports to the branch presidency and even the MTC women's board. I was SO excited for the calling, but at the same time, I became truly humbled. I realized that the Lord really does have a great work for me to do, and at that it became daunting. I struggled all Sunday to overcome feelings of inadequacy and how I needed to be an example and step up the bar. I learned so much that day. I bore my testimony in Italian, and that was a wonderful experience, but even then I became depressed about my ability to learn the language. Yesterday, I needed a blessing, and so a few Anziano gave me one as I was sobbing :Z Meh, I'm learning...good thing is...they still love me. In the blessing, the Anziano, at the last minute reminded me that I was a chosen daughter of God...and honestly, I had forgotten that. I needed to hear and be reminded that I NEED to love my self and press forward. Later that day, we had to teach an investigator...and that was another Tender Mercy of the Lord....

Monday march 28, 2011

What a GREAT experience I had today. I felt overwhelmed again and just inadequate. Some of the older sisters came and gave me advice and I felt I needed a blessing. The elder who ended up giving me a blessing...I've been struggling to come to love him because he has a LOT of pride...but I let go of my own and went with my impressions. The Lord knows our hearts and mine especially...We had our first investigator at the TRC who spoke a rapid and strange dialect of Italian. It was daunting, but my companion kept me going...We then had the BLESSING of teaching a little old man who tried SO HARD to speak Italian to us, even though he wasn't required to. Seeing him truggle with the lang., I could still feel his spirit when he asked to pray in Italian in our behalf. It wasn't a usual TRC experience...he talked about his family and then pretended to be Catholic. With my worries about the language and then the blessing, i was able to say all I had wante3d to say and still felt my Saviors love to teach me...I was able to teach this man in complete Italian while my comp translated. The Lord DOES answer my prayers and I NEED to be receptive to His guidance. The Lord will put people in my life that I'll be able to teach and the language WILL COME. With the blessing I received, it taught me humility and the blessing of truly loving people. Things I have been fasting for. Che bello "the grace" di Dio.

Back to now...I have cried almost everyday...due to either stress or the spirit. I testified of the above experience in my district, and again, I was able to bear my testimony in complete Italian. Mom and Dad, family, friends, my time is short...but know that I KNOW that my REDEEMER LIVES and that His grace is sufficient for me. Shame on me for thinking any different. I have a new resolve in my heart to share this gospel to the world, and I will take whatever comes my way and LOVE IT. I know more struggles will be in my path because i am fasting for patience, humility, love and understanding...what a rockin' roller coaster the Lord is sending my way. I love you all and the Lord is completely within my life and I testify that he is in each of yours as well.

Fight the good fight and notice the tender mercies because I PROMISE they are many. I hope this letter finds all well, and your prayers are DEFINTIELY being heard.

Vi voglio benne, (I love you all)

Sorella Bowman

Buongiorno mia famiglia e amici

I'm in tears reading her letter.  I waited all morning and every time my phone made a sound, I ran to see if it was her letter.  Finally it came and it is so full of the spirit.  I'm so glad she is where she is.  It's exactly where she needs to be.  Thank you to all for your support.  the site...www.dearelder.com is a place that will send messages to her from you that same day.  It's free you just need her MTC address.  Scripture quotes, daily thoughts or just a hello.  It's fun for them and I didn't quite catch on to it while Daniel was there.  Here it is....

MTC Mailbox #112

ITA-MIL 0518

I had to cry a bit when she says she is referred to a "Sister Sparkle" and they love her laugh.  THAT IS MY GIRL!!  Oh how I miss her and Daniel soooo much but I am SOOOO thrilled with this decision in their lives and they will be SO AWESOME (I'm a bit prejudice I think but....) when they return.  

Love,

Rosalee

Tue, Mar 22, 2011 at 10:20 AM

CIAO TUTTI!!

I don't have much time....honestly, I can't read all the emails and send all I have to share. So if we could do DEARELDER.COM during the week, I can answer ALL questions in this one Email. First and foremost, Mom thank you so so much for the package and all the goodies there-in. The postcards and pictures just made my day. Thank you to Chase, Autumn, Sister Griggs, and Sister Ostler for the awesome letters. I didn't get them the day you expected because we were still settting things up...but I got them when I needed them most!!

Agh, I have SOOO much to tell and so little time! If anything, the MTC is great! Mia collega (companion) is Sorella Jenifer Jones. For the longest time I wondered why I needed to report so late...and it was because I needed to be her companion and she mine. I'm sending pictures ASAP so you can see what she's like and all the MTC life entails. We help each other grow and learn each and everyday. I could not have asked for a better partner in riding the CONSTANT roller coaster of what is the MTC. Each morning we have started off with a smile on our faces, by lunch we are stretched beyond belief, but then we go to bed feeling our Savior's love. Yesterday I had a complete meltdown...I didn't even know why I was crying!! But two of the Elders gave me a blessing and immediately I was at peace. I had felt peace earlier in our room because I was just not feeling well and I rolled my suitcase over my toe...and yeah, I fell on the floor and sobbed. I had not felt so low in SO LONG...and mia collega just started crying with me. She offered a prayer just pleading with the Lord to just please help us make it through the day. And even in my time of distress, I felt the Savior's arms around me. I've felt them MULTIPLE times. I can't express the LOVE I feel for the people we teach here. Not only the Anziani in our district but the people who come to volunteer for teaching opportunities. Sorella Jones and I have experienced the gift of tongues and also when that gift is taken away. All in one day, we had an AMAZING experience of speaking in FULL Italian and preaching the gospel and feeling so excited...to going to a complete opposite of not remembering how to speak a lick of it. Needless to say, we still pray in full Italian both night and morning and sing songs and pray as a district...both morning and night. Nostri Anziani (our elders) are just amazing. When I was so stressed yesterday, I found a little notecard in my bag that had D
&C 68:6 written on one side and then "We are with you too :) Be of good cheer! -Anziani" They are just wonderful. I'm known as Sorella Sparkles in my zone, by the Branch President and I just love living up to that. Everyone just thinks it's so funny because I just laugh when I'm frustrated or sad...I just laugh all the time and, well, i guess they think it's great!

DAD! I just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I'm sorry I won't be there tomorrow, but I will be thinking of you :)

The food is really good here, but it DOES DO what people say it does do :) At first I was just miserable, but I've learned to find a balance and don't really have any problems anymore :) We literally have NO TIME here. Our schedules are schedules and there is no changing them. But, I honestly love it. I want Cadha to know that a mission is really the BEST thing you could do with your life..Aleia and Brielle too. I pray everyday that this desire will be instilled in your heart, so that your goals will be clear and you won't struggle as much to get to the MTC front doors. You really do feel the spirit all the time and like I said, I have felt my Savior's arms LITERALLY around me and had a BEAUTIFUL experience of feeling that He was really LISTENING to me...and from that point on my prayers have changed. It's almost like I can visualize Him looking on me and really being interested in my life. I always had a feeling that He was listening, but now I know, e Io so che Gesu Cristo e mio amico :) I know that Jesus Christ in my friend. I speak Italian all the time, and I love it so much. I have learned SO MUCH MORE in 7 days than I have in 7 semesters of taking Spanish...Italian is just great :) I have had multiple opportunities to teach and to really gain a love for my district. I will tell more next time, but there isn't much time to write everything I have to say. I had a BEAUTIFUL experience with an investigator. I hadn't even met the man and I immediately had a love for him when I walked into the room. I felt that this man NEEDED to know the gospel. As we sat and listened to his story, (his wife just passed away and he was in his mid 50's-60's) he just wanted to know if his wife was alright. I bawled...bawled, bawled, bawled, the WHOLE TIME. I eventually had the blessed opportunity to TESTIFY of the Love the Savior has for him and that his wife IS wonderful and that he WILL see her again. I asked him if he knew of a way to be with her forever, would he do it? And in front of ALL The new elders and sisters who reported on Wednesday, he and I just had a discussion of the plan of Salvation and how I KNEW he would see his beloved wife again :) Still bawled, and still felt the Savior's love for him!! It was amazing and made me want to go and teach the gospel right then. I will NEVER forget that experience. The volunteers who come it are sometimes LDS and sometimes not...you never know. That's why they encourage you to take each person as a real situation, becuase you never know who's life you'll change.

I don't really NEED anything right now, I'm truly enjoying this life experience. I WILL have a different outlook on life as some letters have stated, but it will be a blessed one at that.

Just a few random things:

-The peanut butter is absolutely disgusting here...no mi piace (I don't like it)

-The muffins are pretty much the best

-We can't chew gum...so mints are the best thing to send

-I would really love some moleskin if that's possible

5 Things I'm grateful for

-Laughing until you cry

-Anziani who eat so much that they are already started to burst their suit buttons a little

-Prayers in Italian

-Moments of bearing a simple testimony in Italian but knowing the truth it entails

-Using MY life experiences to truly teach others of the Savior

Io se che il vangleo restaurato sta vera! (I know the restored gospel is true)

Familigia e amici- Voi amo (I love you all!)

Sorella Jones*

2005 N. 900 E.

Provo, UT. 84604-1793

*I just noticed Camille signed her letter "Sorella Jones".  That's her companion.  She must REALLY be hurrying.  LOL!

Rosalee

Camille's Information

Hello to everyone,

It's an exciting time in the Bowman household.  Camille had her farewell yesterday and it was absolutely wonderful.  Many family and friends came to the house for dinner and we had a great time.  She was set apart last night as the whole stake presidency are going out of town this week.  Her phone is off so if you are trying to reach her....you won't be able to.  She reports on Wednesday at 12:45pm MT.  Here is her mailing information for the MTC....

Sorella Camille M. Bowman

MTC Mailbox #112

ITA-MIL 0518

2005 N 900 E

Provo, Utah 84604-1793

She leaves the MTC on May 18.  I will forward her emails to you as we get them.

Thanks for all your love and support!

Rosalee