Dear family and friends,
As I've said before, Italy is beautiful in spring. Lately, the
wisteria has been blooming like crazy. And it smells so good walking
down the streets.
On p-day last week, we had a little bit of extra time after writing
emails, so I took my piano books to the church with me and it felt so
good to let everything out while playing. It was so peaceful, and it
helped me feel the spirit and just breathe for awhile. It also helps
Sorella Hunter a lot when I play.
On Tuesday, we had transfer predictions at DDM. My toy was a little
fish with a magnifying glass inside the middle of it. I think it was
just telling me that I'm getting old in the mission, and that I can't
see anymore. Everyone else guessed I'd be sister training leader, but
they were wrong. And I'm totally okay with that. :)
Tuesday night, we tried to take a Book of Mormon in French to this guy
we met a few weeks ago. So, I worked my little brain as hard as I
could to try to remember how to speak French. I came up with a few
simple sentences from my high school French which I forgot almost all
of in the MTC. But the gift of tongues helped with that too, because
when I checked with google translate, I was pretty much completely
right. Also, my accent has gotten a lot better since I've had to learn
how to make different sounds with my mouth in Italian.
This week, I read a verse in the war chapters of Alma. And it said
something about them going to war for the cause of maintaining their
religion which is the source of all their happiness. As I thought
about that verse, I realized that everything good in my life comes
from the gospel. My family relationships, other friendships, my peace
of conscience... And I could go on and on. But we truly are so blessed
to be a part of the Lord's restored church here on the earth. And
Heavenly Father loves us a lot.
One night this week, we went to see our Indian friend, Pria. She has
only been living in Italy for a month and a half now, so we asked if
we could help her learn Italian. So we went over, took a treat, and
brought a Book of Mormon in Hindi. This lady is super sweet, has an
adorable daughter, and maybe one day will have an interest in the
church. Slow and steady wins the race. :) I also learned something
about the Indian culture, and it is that women can't eat something if
their husband isn't home.
Thursday, we did some service at the Lloyds. We helped them put this
plastic, green thing up around the walls of their garden for more
privacy. Fratello Lloyd was helping us do it, and when Sorella Lloyd
came out to check on it... She didn't like the way Fratello Lloyd had
us do it, so she made us take it down and do it again. And we did so
happily. I learned again that if the wife isn't happy... Then nobody's
happy. Afterwards, they fed us pranzo, and we ended up talking for a
long time. They served a mission at the Spain Madrid temple grounds
and they could talk about the families they helped for hours and not
stop.
On Saturday, we got transfer calls. I was just wondering who would
scroll down to this part of my letter first. Haha... I am staying in
the Ladispoli with my sweet Sorella H. And I'm so excited.
Sorella Waddoups said that this transfer will be much more peaceful
than my last one and that Heavenly Father thinks I deserve it. Or
something along those lines. I just love Sorella H to bits, and
we've both struggled this last transfer to stay sane, so this transfer
we are ready to work hard and grow the pond in Ladispoli. Bad news is
that Sorella T is going home. When I heard that, my heart sank to
my stomach. But I know that it is the best place for her right now.
She has such a great desire to serve people, but there are health
problems that get in the way at times. I've come to love her, and at
times it was hard... But it was good for me to humble myself, and be
patient.
Speaking of patience, yesterday I realized that we don't notice our
growth as much as other people do. I need to be more patient with
myself as I continue on the path of discipleship, but I also need to
allow others the same space to grow and learn on their path. I
realized that sometimes I don't do that, and that is something I can
improve on. But mostly, I learned that I have changed and grown so
much in this last transfer, and I am so grateful Heavenly Father
trusted me with this responsibility. He only wants to give me
opportunities to grow.
Yesterday, we went to Rome for Sorella T's last interview with
President. We got to talk with all of the dying missionaries and
Sorella Reber said that "the challenging moments on the mission become
the most sacred to a missionary." And that statement is so true.
On the way home, we talked to this cute couple on the train. They were
practicing Catholics and had just come back from Vatican City, but
they kept looking at our name tags, so Sorella Hunter struck up a
conversation with them. We talked for a bit, explained who we were,
and got to know them. That is when I don't know where to go with a
conversation. Haha... So I asked how long they've been married (29
yrs) and then asked if they believed they could be together forever.
That was an inspired question because before I asked that, I was at a
loss. We need to role play how to switch from normal conversation to
gospel conversation a little more, haha.. But anyways.. They said that
they don't believe the roles of husband and wife exist in the next
world. How sad is that? We asked if we could exchange numbers and they
politely refused, and then we heard them saying that "we know the
truth". Haha... Oh well. We did our part. At least they were nice to
us, and I just hope that they will accept our message someday so they
can have an eternal marriage.
I love all of you guys. :) And I hope everyone had a great week!
Con amore,
Sorella Flansberg
Sent from my iPad
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