I got a transfer call from Presidente on Monday to go to Busto Arsizio. It is west of Milano. I have never heard of it before! He released me as Sister Training Leader and thanked me for the wonderful, wonderful work that I have done and has asked me to continue to help the work go forth in my next city. I will be with Sorella McPeek who I know a little bit (she is from Sorella Andromidas's group and is sooooo cute) Sorella Hoffman will be staying in Alessandria for a 5th transfer. The poor thing already said goodbye to everyone and packed her bags. Presidente told her that she needs to finish what she got started. My goodness did she start a beast. Presidente put two crazy people together when we were called to be STL's here. We have done SOOOOO much together and love each other sooo much. Saturday night we both cried together about leaving. We feel like we have become sisters. We are sisters.
This transfer news however really upset me. I cried all Monday thinking about the people that I fell in love with on the first day here. It didn't seem fair. One of the reasons why it was hard too was that I felt like I didn't fulfill my purpose here. I thought "what was I supposed to do here?" I asked sweet Anziano Johnson (my BFF who followed me up from Pisa - I am REALLY going to miss him too) to give me a blessing. It was powerful. He said that the Lord has blessed me by showing my how His hand is extended into His work. Now it was my job to do the same thing in my next area. Many other things were said but that is what impacted me the most. Alessandria was a DREAM. It felt like I had walked in the District (film) but this was the first time that I felt like I wasn't doing much of what Sorella Jameson was meant to do. (Do you remember me sending you that letter about what I thought was my purpose. I have always walked into struggling units that needed help. Alessandria was helping me.) Sorella Hoffman is INCREDIBLE. She has taught me sooooo much about VISION and what can be done with the FAITH of a hard working missionary. She is going to move mountains and change Italia. My purpose here? To train Sorella Hoffman how to be an STL. I did it. Now it is time to move on. This is the Lord's work. Not mine. While I am sad, I am also excited to go forward and do His will.
Something else that I have learned from this humbling experience is that the Priesthood is real and amazing. I love getting blessing. God loves and KNOWS every single one of us individually. He has always answered my prayers and always will.
Last week, we received a referral from our Bishop. Actually, an entire family. E L is the sister of one of our other simpastizzante who is married to a member. We went on Wednesday night to visit them. It was amazing. E has been sooooo ready to join our church for years but has needed to fix several things. Now, she is ready and wanting to be baptized. Her, her husband G and their two younger daughters, G and S all accepted baptism for the 20 Luglio, the same day as E. We have gone back to visit several times and they are reading the Book of Mormon together as a family every night. :) Miracles are happening here in Alessandria and Sorella Hoffman is the perfect person to see them through to the end.
To finish, we will be having a baptism on Sunday for E B. Oh how I love her so much! We set a baptismal date with her the first Sunday that I arrived and now she is getting baptized. Anziano Ostergar and Speiser started teaching her almost a year ago.
I have 6 weeks left... going into my last transfer and I hope to work with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. The Gospel is restored and real.
VI VOGLIO TANTO BENE!!!
Sorella Jameson
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Genova - where it all began
SUUUUPER Fast!! I am so sorry but we have a train to catch so that I can go to GENOVA for PDAY!!! I get to see it again!! SO excited!!!
On Monday, we had about half of our appointments fall through, including a family home evening. Trying to re-schedule a family home evening last minute always seems to be a little difficult. We went forward with the Spirit however and tried to follow the guidance to where we need to go. After an activity with GANS (we sang at a rehabilitation center) we decided to pass by a part member family. As we were teaching a lesson on the My Family Booklets, we brought up the importance of the VISION behind the booklet. Eternity with our family. We asked the famiglia Z what their vision is and what they need to do to accomplish it. Sorella Z, who is not a member, explained that she wanted an eternal family but that she needed to be baptized first. We set a baptismal date with her for the 20th of July - her father's birthday. :)
Other miracles: Sorella Hoffman found a family in the rain while we were doing splits with the GANS. They are soooo elect and accepted baptism!!!!
OOOO and one more thought to add...
From Jesus the Christ
Prayer is made up of the heart throbs and the righteous yearnings of the soul, of supplication based on the realization of need, of contrition and pure desire. :)
I love you alll soooo much!!
Sorella Jameson :)
On Monday, we had about half of our appointments fall through, including a family home evening. Trying to re-schedule a family home evening last minute always seems to be a little difficult. We went forward with the Spirit however and tried to follow the guidance to where we need to go. After an activity with GANS (we sang at a rehabilitation center) we decided to pass by a part member family. As we were teaching a lesson on the My Family Booklets, we brought up the importance of the VISION behind the booklet. Eternity with our family. We asked the famiglia Z what their vision is and what they need to do to accomplish it. Sorella Z, who is not a member, explained that she wanted an eternal family but that she needed to be baptized first. We set a baptismal date with her for the 20th of July - her father's birthday. :)
Other miracles: Sorella Hoffman found a family in the rain while we were doing splits with the GANS. They are soooo elect and accepted baptism!!!!
OOOO and one more thought to add...
From Jesus the Christ
Prayer is made up of the heart throbs and the righteous yearnings of the soul, of supplication based on the realization of need, of contrition and pure desire. :)
I love you alll soooo much!!
Sorella Jameson :)
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
The BEST thing that you could do
WOW!!! It is hot and humid. And yet I seem to have more energy than I have had in a LONG time. Last summer just about killed me. Especially since we were in buses. All. Day. Long. It is so nice to be on bikes.
This past week was difficult. Not miracle wise or number wise. Spiritually and emotionally, yes. We were scheduled to have a baptism on Saturday but on Thursday morning, during scambio, we received a text message from J (the simp) that she would not be baptized until her boyfriend arrived in the next month. I was shocked and felt a little lost without the help of my companion. It was a sensitive situation that required a lot of faith, patience, and strength. We were really afraid that Joy would never get baptized because her boyfriend is VERY controlling. When we went over to teach her that morning, she called him and handed me the phone to talk to him. WHAT?! What in the world is a little, white, American girl going to do about it? He was very kind but also extremely dominating.The whole time I prayed to have the courage to say what the Lord needed me to say. I explained that this was J's choice and not his but he replied saying that he TOLD J that she needed to wait, so she was going to wait. Finally I said, "No... this is not her decision. YOU told her what to do. She needs to do what God wants her to do and we both have to respect that decision." In the end, J did not get baptized but I personally gained a deeper relationship with the Holy Ghost as I gave all to Him. We also believe that this is a better chance that we have to teach J so that her baptism will only solidify her conversion. :)
At the end of the week, we looked back and saw how much the Lord helped up. We climbed our mountain and feel so strong and triumphant. My companion and I are so much closer now too. We love being with each other.
On Sunday, I got to talk with a GANS si chiama Nephi. He is 21 years old and is working right now. During church he was ordained the Melchizedek priesthood. So I asked him what he was going to do with this priesthood.
Nephi - "I know what answer you are trying to get out of me..." he said, giving me the ' you are so sneaky' smile. I smiled back and waited. "Well I hope to serve God and bless my family. And... if chance permits, serve a mission."
Me - "Ahhh okay. What do you mean 'if chance permits'?" I asked. He then explained that he is currently working, to help support his family and to establish a better future for the family to come. I continued, "I can promise you, as a missionary, that the BEST thing that you could do for your future family, is to serve a mission." I felt the spirit so strongly inside of me as I promised him that. Then I explained the blessing of Aunt K and what she has done for us. :)
Nephi - "Thank you for your advice.I will think about it..." he told me as we left that evening.
The experience left an impression in my heart.
I just wanted to end sharing some verses of 3 Nephi 19. It really impacted me this morning as I read that Jesus prayed for us...
19 And it came to pass that Jesus departed out of the midst of them, and went a little way off from them and bowed himself to the earth, and he said:
20 Father, I thank thee that thou hast given the Holy Ghost unto these whom I have chosen; and it is because of their belief in me that I have chosen them out of the world.
21 Father, I pray thee that thou wilt give the Holy Ghost unto all them that shall believe in their words.
22 Father, thou hast given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in me; and thou seest that they believe in me because thou hearest them, and they pray unto me; and they pray unto me because I am with them.
23 And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one.
24 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus prayed unto the Father, he came unto his disciples, and behold, they did still continue, without ceasing, to pray unto him; and they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire.
25 And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof.
26 And Jesus said unto them: Pray on; nevertheless they did not cease to pray.
27 And he turned from them again, and went a little way off and bowed himself to the earth; and he prayed again unto the Father, saying:
28 Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me.
29 Father, I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me out of the world, because of their faith, that they may be purified in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one, that I may be glorified in them.
30 And when Jesus had spoken these words he came again unto his disciples; and behold they did pray steadfastly, without ceasing, unto him; and he did smile upon them again; and behold they were white, even as Jesus.
I love you alll soooooooo much!!! Sorry for the lack of pictures....:)
Sorella Jameson
This past week was difficult. Not miracle wise or number wise. Spiritually and emotionally, yes. We were scheduled to have a baptism on Saturday but on Thursday morning, during scambio, we received a text message from J (the simp) that she would not be baptized until her boyfriend arrived in the next month. I was shocked and felt a little lost without the help of my companion. It was a sensitive situation that required a lot of faith, patience, and strength. We were really afraid that Joy would never get baptized because her boyfriend is VERY controlling. When we went over to teach her that morning, she called him and handed me the phone to talk to him. WHAT?! What in the world is a little, white, American girl going to do about it? He was very kind but also extremely dominating.The whole time I prayed to have the courage to say what the Lord needed me to say. I explained that this was J's choice and not his but he replied saying that he TOLD J that she needed to wait, so she was going to wait. Finally I said, "No... this is not her decision. YOU told her what to do. She needs to do what God wants her to do and we both have to respect that decision." In the end, J did not get baptized but I personally gained a deeper relationship with the Holy Ghost as I gave all to Him. We also believe that this is a better chance that we have to teach J so that her baptism will only solidify her conversion. :)
At the end of the week, we looked back and saw how much the Lord helped up. We climbed our mountain and feel so strong and triumphant. My companion and I are so much closer now too. We love being with each other.
On Sunday, I got to talk with a GANS si chiama Nephi. He is 21 years old and is working right now. During church he was ordained the Melchizedek priesthood. So I asked him what he was going to do with this priesthood.
Nephi - "I know what answer you are trying to get out of me..." he said, giving me the ' you are so sneaky' smile. I smiled back and waited. "Well I hope to serve God and bless my family. And... if chance permits, serve a mission."
Me - "Ahhh okay. What do you mean 'if chance permits'?" I asked. He then explained that he is currently working, to help support his family and to establish a better future for the family to come. I continued, "I can promise you, as a missionary, that the BEST thing that you could do for your future family, is to serve a mission." I felt the spirit so strongly inside of me as I promised him that. Then I explained the blessing of Aunt K and what she has done for us. :)
Nephi - "Thank you for your advice.I will think about it..." he told me as we left that evening.
The experience left an impression in my heart.
I just wanted to end sharing some verses of 3 Nephi 19. It really impacted me this morning as I read that Jesus prayed for us...
19 And it came to pass that Jesus departed out of the midst of them, and went a little way off from them and bowed himself to the earth, and he said:
20 Father, I thank thee that thou hast given the Holy Ghost unto these whom I have chosen; and it is because of their belief in me that I have chosen them out of the world.
21 Father, I pray thee that thou wilt give the Holy Ghost unto all them that shall believe in their words.
22 Father, thou hast given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in me; and thou seest that they believe in me because thou hearest them, and they pray unto me; and they pray unto me because I am with them.
23 And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one.
24 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus prayed unto the Father, he came unto his disciples, and behold, they did still continue, without ceasing, to pray unto him; and they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire.
25 And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof.
26 And Jesus said unto them: Pray on; nevertheless they did not cease to pray.
27 And he turned from them again, and went a little way off and bowed himself to the earth; and he prayed again unto the Father, saying:
28 Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me.
29 Father, I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me out of the world, because of their faith, that they may be purified in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one, that I may be glorified in them.
30 And when Jesus had spoken these words he came again unto his disciples; and behold they did pray steadfastly, without ceasing, unto him; and he did smile upon them again; and behold they were white, even as Jesus.
I love you alll soooooooo much!!! Sorry for the lack of pictures....:)
Sorella Jameson
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
I am so glad to be wearing a name tag
Soooooooo I have been having really crazy dreams these past few nights. Last night I dreamed that I was home from my mission but I wasn't ready of course to be home. It is kind of like what happened at the beginning of my mission. Although it is something that I do not want to think about, I will be home in 2 months. Crazy huh? Sorella Hoffman is the PERFECT companion to be with right now because she is helping me in so many ways for the future. Especially because we are just working like crazy. Why? Because we have a vision to fulfill. :)
Last week we were supposed to have a scambio with Torino but we couldn't due to train strikes, we Sorella Hoffman and I were just together. Meno male... we had so many crazy things happen.
Wow... one of the biggest miracles that I found personally this week came from a referral si chiama A. One of the GANS brought to the Sunday Serata Familiare, his friend from England. There are people that we can meet every once in a while that you feel an immediate connection with - this is how it felt with A. I could feel the love of Christ through me as I talked to her. She is a very confused and lost soul searching for happiness in this life. I know how and from whom she can gain this happiness. Jesus Christ and His Gospel. We have another lesson with her tomorrow. :) A is a fashion stylist in London. She is working her way up to be a big shot in the media and model world. It is so interesting how we can see people like her and think that they have it all - money, fame, beauty. And yet we discover that they are simple people just like us. She is just a simple ragazza who is searching for happiness and just doesn't know where to find it.
This past weekend we also had several meal appointments with potential investigators. The people here in Alessadria are SO kind that they literally invite us to come over for dinner after the first meeting. Both appointments left us stupefied, if you will. I saw very clearly who I am as a missionary in this work. These people were sooooo kind and wonderful but only wanted friendship. Unfortunately, that is not what we are here to do - we are here to invite others to come unto Christ. They rejected this invitation and thanked us for the time we gave to get to know them. That was it. The doors closed. My heart broke a little bit because of how incredible these people are - they are kind loving, giving, children of God. If I was not wearing a name tag, it would have been different. In the end, I am so glad to be wearing a name tag. To bring such an important message to the world. It was also such an important lesson that I learned for my future as a member of the church. It is also up the "normal" members to help invite and prepare their friends to accept the Gospel.
To finish, here is an article in the Liahona about my nonna in Genova!!! Paola Fava. :)
Nonna Fava
Vi voglio tanto bene!!!!
Sorella Jameson
PS: Sorry for no pictures.... hopefully I will get some soon. :)
Last week we were supposed to have a scambio with Torino but we couldn't due to train strikes, we Sorella Hoffman and I were just together. Meno male... we had so many crazy things happen.
Wow... one of the biggest miracles that I found personally this week came from a referral si chiama A. One of the GANS brought to the Sunday Serata Familiare, his friend from England. There are people that we can meet every once in a while that you feel an immediate connection with - this is how it felt with A. I could feel the love of Christ through me as I talked to her. She is a very confused and lost soul searching for happiness in this life. I know how and from whom she can gain this happiness. Jesus Christ and His Gospel. We have another lesson with her tomorrow. :) A is a fashion stylist in London. She is working her way up to be a big shot in the media and model world. It is so interesting how we can see people like her and think that they have it all - money, fame, beauty. And yet we discover that they are simple people just like us. She is just a simple ragazza who is searching for happiness and just doesn't know where to find it.
This past weekend we also had several meal appointments with potential investigators. The people here in Alessadria are SO kind that they literally invite us to come over for dinner after the first meeting. Both appointments left us stupefied, if you will. I saw very clearly who I am as a missionary in this work. These people were sooooo kind and wonderful but only wanted friendship. Unfortunately, that is not what we are here to do - we are here to invite others to come unto Christ. They rejected this invitation and thanked us for the time we gave to get to know them. That was it. The doors closed. My heart broke a little bit because of how incredible these people are - they are kind loving, giving, children of God. If I was not wearing a name tag, it would have been different. In the end, I am so glad to be wearing a name tag. To bring such an important message to the world. It was also such an important lesson that I learned for my future as a member of the church. It is also up the "normal" members to help invite and prepare their friends to accept the Gospel.
To finish, here is an article in the Liahona about my nonna in Genova!!! Paola Fava. :)
Nonna Fava
Vi voglio tanto bene!!!!
Sorella Jameson
PS: Sorry for no pictures.... hopefully I will get some soon. :)
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