Training again and the Holland Hammer

This might be a shorter email. Why? 1) Last week was a literal blur. 2) We got our transfer calls and have thus been running around like crazy.

Transfer Call: As predicted, Sorella Brown and Sorella Bennett are both leaving (to which I am very sad. I had an AMAZING time with them.) Sorella Brown will be going to Como with Sorella Baer - someone who I heard was "sweeter than Sorella Jameson" as quoted by Sorella Bennett. This will be so good for her. Sorella Bennett will be going to Savona. My old area. I am SOOOOO excited for her! I already told her she needs to get focaccia and visit my city. As for me? I will training again!!! This call to train was much different than the last call and I am really quite excited for it. I actually had a dream the night before we got the call that I was asked to train. So we have running from person to person to try and get everything done that we need to. I want to be all prepared and ready to go when I pick up my new little baby. :) There are only 4 coming in.

This week has been like a roller coaster emotionally, spiritually, and physically. We had some very intense lessons on Saturday that reminded me of Genova a little bit. As servants of the Lord, we can feel the love that God has for his children. We also spent all Monday cleaning (REALLY cleaning) for the next transfer. By the end of the night, my thighs were sore from squatting and standing for hours. To celebrate at the end, we got some Chinese food with the Jefferies, who then threw a sutprise birthday party for Sorella Bennett. Oh how we love the Jefferies.

The man that we found and taught last week is our biggest miracle. P has continued to meet with us, ask many open questions, and love everything we have to say. On Sunday we called him to ask if we could show him where the church is located and to give him a tour. Throughout the tour, he just kept saying how beautiful the church was and that it was perfect at the end. He also shared with us that he even has a wife that he had waited to introduce - to see if we were acceptable or not. P is so honest and pure with a heart of gold. He is truly a miracle.

Later on Sunday night we taught a meno attivo family who are normally very sensitive and hard to get to talk. SO as we were going into this lesson, I had thought of bringing out the "Holland Hammer" of speaking the blunt and direct truth. When we entered the home and began talking to them, I felt my heart soften and felt the need to do a more "Eyring type" approach. We just laughed, talked about food, and taught a lesson about JOY (Alma 26:35-37 my mission scripture) We invited them to have a little more joy in their lives by praying a little more and coming to church a little more. At the end of the lesson, il fratello said "We will see you again soon! First at church I guess!" Oh the joy that fills my heart. :)

This week I have felt especially sensitive to the Love of God and the sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ. During sacrament, I would like you to ponder deeply of his Atonement. Maybe even read "In remembrance of Him..." by Holland.

Vi voglio bene!!

Sorella Jameson :)

Pictures: lasagna :)

Thank you modern day Prophets called of God

General Conference. This is candy for missionaries. Really it seems to fuel us and give us that extra charge that we truly need. Did you invite anyone to watch it? I fasted before Conference with a specific question to be answered. I can testify that my question was more than answered. I feel it has changed my outlook on missionary work and even the rest of my life. There were many other things that I felt were answers to doubts I had or problems for other simpatizzanti. Oh how I love General Conference!!! We were able to broadcast it in our chapel, something that had never been done in the history of Forlì. (It came about from my interview with Presidente Dibb). 5 simpatizzanti came, one of whom is a pretty tough cookie when it comes to our lessons. He ended up LOVING conference. Thank you modern day Prophets called of God.

Sunday, I hit my 8 month mark as well. Yes. This felt much different than all the other month marks (that I should probably not be counting...) I realized that next month will be my half way point which means my time is running out. Only 2 months ago I had thought to myself that there was TOO much time and that I was not capable of working another year.  My love for my mission and for my Savior has deepened so much. I look forward to the next 10 months of my mission with excitement and love. :)

We have had sooooo many tender mercies and answers to prayers this week!! Stopping people to talk to them is something that I am not particularly great at doing, especially when we have bikes to ride. These last few weeks I have been praying for the strength, courage, and guidance to stop people to speak with them. Last week I saw a man riding his bike and just felt this need to stop him. We rode past him due to the busy street and small sidewalk but the thought was still pounding in my mind. So I pulled to the side of a parking lot, waiting for him to come past. I wasn't sure what I was going to say or how I was going to get this man to stop his bike long enough to talk to us but I knew I had to do this. When he came by I just started to talk to him and he stopped. We exchanged numbers after explaining who we were and why we wanted to visit. On Saturday, we went to his house to teach him. It was a beautiful lesson and he is so excited to continue studying with us. His friends even came in to listen to us as well. It was a tender mercy and an answer to my prayers.

Another answer to my prayers came yesterday with our visit to a meno attivo. I had asked the night before for the opportunity to talk to more people, something hard in the pouring rain (which has been really fun with skirts on bikes. No sarcasm intended. I just laugh the entire time) As we were about to start with a prayer, a friend came to visit. She had been given the Book of Mormon by the active mother of the meno attivo but never had time to meet with us. God had answered my prayer. The more beautiful part is that the less active began teaching the friend of the restoration and the truth of the Book of Mormon. The spirit was beautiful. :)

Scripture insight:
Finishing 2 Nephi is always something so hard. Always. My favorite part of finishing it though was the last testimony of Nephi. His last words are "I must obey." That is is Nephi in 3 simple words. He is a wonderful example of following the commandments of God - that is all he does in the first book of Nephi.

Thank you for your love and your support. It has been such a strength to me during my mission. This mission is the one of the greatest blessings and gifts that I could ever ask for.

Vi voglio Bene!!!!

Sorella Jameson

PS: Pictures of my watch and of SPONGEBOB tissues that I found for only € 1 !!!

This girl and her Spongebob. All is right in the world!

They WILL have their questions answered

Last week was a really off week for us and so was yesterday. I am not sure why but the people here are very hard to work with - they are so very kind and yet do not seem to open their hearts to our message. The people of Genova are known for how closed off they are. Whenever we would say hello to them they would just grunt or something to that effect, Here everyone openly waves back and smiles, saying "Buongiorno!" back to us. When we try to share the message of the restored Gospel, they are closed and politely (or not) reject it. They are extremely religious though, something that is beautiful because it is not seen in all the world. It reminds me a lot of that song from Fiddler on the Roof "Traditions". Many of our lessons go in circles, in an almost bible bashing manner. Honestly it leaves me a little exhausted by the end of night. Why? I know that our message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is not only a wonderful message of faith, hope, and love in Christ but it is also what brings SALVATION. My heart just breaks every time we are rejected. This is not because I wish they would listen to me or that I want to be the victor to say "I told you so!" but because I KNOW this is what will bring them true happiness now and joy for the eternities to come.

After a very rough weekend of round about lessons that ended nowhere except our own exhaustion, we went to go visit N and E - the African family from last week. Oh it was such a beautiful miracle. They bring so much light to our days and hope to the work that we are doing.We had asked if E was reading the Book of Mormon and he explained that he wasn't because his mother had taken it from him to read it. YES!!! So we offered to bring more over and dropped them off yesterday. When we asked E (his mother)  what she thought of the book, she said "I like it but I want my own copy!" We laughed and handed her a copy of the Book of Mormon. They have promised to come to General Conference and even come to English class to help out. :)

We have been trying to teach a man called E from Albania. His lessons have always been just a little on the strange side and we have felt they haven't really progressed in any sort of manner. This last lesson that we had, at his door step in fact, was full of the spirit and actually touched him. He had explained to us that he felt far from God after the death of his young niece. I was able to share from the personal experience of my grandpa's passing and the comfort of the plan of Salvation. A new light seemed to touch his eyes and he opened up a little more. He has also almost finished reading through 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. We are excited to continue working with him so the Gospel can help heal him.

There is so much more I would love to tell you but I am running out of time. I am just so very grateful that General Conference is coming up soon - we have asked all of our simpatizzanti to come and bring questions of the soul. The best part is that I know if they come, they WILL have their questions answered. In fact, can you do something for me? Can you put on my picture for FACEBOOK (the cover photo) this picture and also upload the video a couple times. I want everyone to know about it. Also I want to challenge you to invite at least one person each to watch general Conference. What do you think? :)

Vi voglio bene!!!!

Sorella Jameson

PS: No new pictures I am sorry!!!

So many beautiful miracles

This week has been one of our off weeks but we have still been able to see so many beautiful miracles. For a start, we found 6 new investigators! 6!!!!! At the same time we have been receiving un saco di bedoni (cancelled lessons). We are all trying to work on being better missionaries because we know we will receive blessings according to our faith and obedience.

We were doing some phone finding the other day and stumbled upon number for a N. So we gave her a call and asked if we could visit her on Sunday. As we met up with her, we found out that she was from Nigeria and had not really had any lessons before, just meetings from the missionaries. We walked into her house and found a beautiful family, all sitting in the living room watching the Bible episodes from History channel. WHAT?! How beautiful is that? As we began explaining the Restoration, particularly Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, her Husband, E, stopped to ask us questions. He began asking us how the Book Of Mormon and Bible relate,why it is important, and how he can know. In the end, he explained that he really wanted to know the truth when the other missionaries came but they never came back and how he wants to study this out to know for himself. He also said "I also have the same questions that Joseph Smith had - how can I get salvation? If you have the answer I want to know." It was such a beautiful and SPIRITUAL experience. As Sorella Brown was testifying of the Book Of Mormon, I felt my own testimony burning within me. If I had any doubts, they would have been smashed by her testimony.

Early that day the Son and daughter in law of the Jefferies came to church and I had the opportunity to translate for them. OH it was sooooooo amazing!!!! I felt as if I was the one bearing my testimony while I spoke for the speakers. It also made me realize just how much I am able to understand and comprehend with Italian. Another HUGE blessing to working with Sorella Lemos. :)

Last night we had a lesson with a very faithful and very observant man from Africa, named R.We have been struggling to get him to really commit to things but he has enough faith to move mountains. Earlier that day I had studied for and prepared another lesson for other simpatizzanti but saw the scripture references flash in my mind in the middle of the lesson. We read James 2:17-26 with him (faith without works is dead) and then brought it together with 3 Nephi 27:19-21 (the gospel of Jesus Christ). It struck home to him. Before he had always said to be saved you need faith and the word of God. This is true. But you also need these works. We set a baptismal date with him for the 19th of October. :)

One of the biggest lessons I have learned this week is the Holy Ghost. This Spirit is here as a guide, a comfort, a help,and a witness of Christ. We need to humble ourselves, slow down, ponder, and open our hearts to the promptings that he whispers.

Vi voglio bene!!!
Sorella Jameson

Radiating JOY and happiness

I just love being a missionary and working here in Forlì. There are times when I feel like I never actually worked in Genova. Then there are other moments when I think I was never anything BUT a missionary. I love it. :)

This week has been long but also full of many little miracles. Forlì is beautiful but it is also hard work. We have an amazing Branch with AMAZING members, not to mention some pretty fantastic missionaries ;) . And yet there hasn't been a baptism here for the past 2 two years. Why? I am not sure. But we have faith and are going to change it!!!

In the pictures that I sent, you can see that we are wearing white blouses -this was for a branch activity that was a trip around the world. It was beautiful and had so much success! For me, the biggest miracle of the night happened when a youth began talking to me and just opened right up. It reminded me so much of why I love working with the youth and how special they really are. Most of them are just trying to figure out WHO they are and they need to learn that they are literally sons and daughters of Heavenly Father who not only loves them, but cares about their happiness. I hope to keep working with the youth and help them find the same joy and peace that I have found.

Another miracle came after a long bike ride into the country side with an Ex simpatizzanti that we found doing phone finding. MAMA Mia! I was absolutely in LOVE as we headed out into the country (about 7 kilometers out of town) to a little farm house. This ex (now current) simpatizzanti is a single father with amazing children. Here is one of the best parts. He invited friends to meet us! We ended up being interviewed for an internet radio station as well about our daily lives and our work. As we finished up our lunch with them, they said to us "Look! They are radiating JOY and happiness. They must have a beautiful purpose!" It was an amazing opportunity. Also we have a return appointment with them next Saturday as well. :)

This is a miracle that was not necessarily a direct miracle that we could have seen in front of us. We had a lesson with a simpatizzanti, si chiama A. He is a wonderful man who is very intelligent and loves everything about our message and the church. We had planned to set a baptismal date with him (he said yes earlier to the soft baptismal invite) at our last lesson with him. In the end, he told us that he could not have a solid date to work for even after much explanation for the reasons of WHY. The thing that was a miracle is that he can see the great importance of BAPTISM. He even asked that we not call it a "cosa" but rather some other word to describe the sacredness of the ordinance. This is something he wants to ponder more and study more before being baptized, not because he is not wanting the commitment but rather that he understands it is more than just the dunking into water and he wants to understand it. He even told us that he felt he was already a member of the church, a part of the congregation (we really do have an amazing branch). This reminded me of Brigham Young - it took him 2 plus years of seriously studying the Book of Mormon before he was ready to be baptized. Even though we may not see the actual baptism in our time here, we know that when A is baptized that he will be converted.

Funny Story: We were at a dinner the other night with some AMAZING simpatizzanti. They have a difficult situation that they are facing right now and have always asked for prayers and support. At the end of the lesson, Sorella Bennett offered the prayer to close. While she was praying, she asked that they could have more "pazza" which translates to "crazy" After she realized she said that, she tried saying "pace" but ended up saying pazza again!!! The simpatizzanti burst out laughing, pleading that they not actually have any more crazy but rather that God knew what she really meant. It was HILARIOUS and we all just laughed. Nothing can get better than that.

Finally, I wanted to share a scripture that I absolutely loved while reading this past week. If you were on schedule, you probably read it too. 2 Nephi 22:2 (and the entire chapter). "... I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation." Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the source of our strength. It is through His Grace that we can become uplifted in times of trial and feel the force to do what is right. When it comes down to it, it is only through the Grace of the Savior that we can do the things we do in this world. I am so grateful for his Grace.

I love you so much!!! Thank you for your support for me, which also gives me strength.

Vi voglio bene!!!

Sorella Jameson

PS: the second set of pictures are just an example of the craziness we experience together. :)

A little bit of Indiana

I absolutely LOVE it here right now!!! Seriously, this little city is amazing. I love the bikes (yes my bum is a little saddle sore as Sorella Bennett would say) I love the little branch that we have. I love our simpatizzanti. I love Forlì. It is a little town that reminds me so much of Indiana. Flat. Cute. And nothing super significant which makes the gems even more precious. Having the Senior couple here is also an AMAZING blessing!!! I feel like I am at home with them - they are constantly taking care of us, coming to lessons with us, or just swinging by to give a treat. It is amazing how different the world of Genova is compared to the world of Forlì. At first I was afraid that I would just end up comparing everything about Forlì to Genova and not love it but I just can't. It is too special to do it. Another thing I have also learned about myself - I do NOT like big cities. I didn't realize how exhausting it was to live in Genova and always be in this fretta. Forlì is so tranquil and peaceful. It is exactly what I need.

Sorella Brown, Sorella Jameson, Sorella Bennett

As for my companions. I. LOVE. THEM!!!! I didn't think I could love people so fast after being so nervous about them. There is a definite reason that I am here - I know it. Sorella Brown is from Florida and is sooooo wonderful. She is a GEM. When I was at the train station, I saw a group of missionaries approaching me and there was Sorella Brown, standing out in the midst of them with a glowing smile on her face. I felt her love immediately and she helped me feel comfortable instantly. She has about 3 or 4 transfers left on her mission (depending when she wants to go home.) The thing I love about her too is that is so patient with me with the Language - she is great with the little details of grammar and other things and take the time to help me learn well. Sorella Bennett is an absolute HOOT. She reminds me so much of my friend Kjersti (from EFY) and we are already insane together. I don't know how it happened but we just laugh non stop together. She is a transfer younger than me but knows how to work so hard.

One HUGE blessing that I have seen from being with Sorella Lemos is my new ability to be clear and direct.

Transfer day complete with silly socks!

Sorella Lemos was so great with that and it has helped me as we've worked together as missionaries, with members, and with simpatizzanti. I have also seen how blessed I have been with the language. Speaking all the time with Sorella Lemos has really helped me become much more fluent.

Within our work this week with a meno attivi that the Jefferies has found. They had tried scheduling and passing by several times for an appointment to visit E. (I am not sure what her last name is at this moment) Finally they were able to meet with her during a time that she needed this help and support. We came back to visit her on Sunday with the Jefferies to share a message about the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was so strong, especially when Sorella Jefferies shared her testimony of the Book of Mormon. It was a beautiful experience that opened the heart of this meno attivi - she wants us to continue coming back to visit.

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:

I just started reading D&C because I feel the need to know that book a little better. I know the Bible well and the Book of Mormon even better so it is about time to start the Doctrine and Covenants. The first section is so powerful, it is no wonder why it was the Lord's Preface. The first verse begins with "Hearken, O ye People of MY church..." This is Christ speaking. He is the leader of THIS church because it is HIS. Not Joseph Smith's, not Thomas S. Monson's, it is CHRIST's church. He leads and directs it through his servants, the prophets, and revelation. Oh how wonderful this is!! We are a part of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Sorella Jameson

PS: I did cut my hair (finally) you just run out of time as a missionary. It looks a lot better now.
PSS: My companion thinks I am a crazy squirrel. She compares me to a squirrel off of Over the Hedge? IDK. But I guess I am insane. :)

FORLI, here I come!

Okay this week has been absolutely crazy and I don't even know where to begin telling you things.

First of all: I am obsessed with thinking about Jarom. I pray for him constantly throughout the day and hope all is well. In all honesty, the first week in the mission field is a little brutal, as is the first entire transfer. Don't send him peanut butter. He can find some, somewhere. Maybe not on the little island but he is bound to go to an international market somewhere. (I must admit that peanut butter is a food that I have been severly missing here in italia.Especially American Peanut butter)

Second of all: Transfers. I am no longer going to be in Genova. After almost 6 months here (7 months as a missionary - WHAT THE?!) I will be packing my bags and heading to Forli. Dovè? That has been my reaction when I have told people where I am going. I have a feeling it is going to be very similar to Indiana - no one really knows much about it. It is a little city with BIKES!!!! Oh yeah!!! So you will have 2 children with bruised bums, biking their hearts out. And here is the other part. We will be in 3. I must admit I am a little shocked, nervous, excited, and anxious for all of it. Sorella Lemos, on the other hand, will be here with another sorella from her same group but she will be Senior companion. She is scared out of her mind - unfortunately, she does not have a very high self esteem and cannot see what she is made of. I can see just how STRONG and amazing she actually is so I am excited for her to have this experience. It is a little sad to be separated but I know it is time for us to go our own ways and grow.

Okay as for an update on this week. Woah was it INSANE. I really cannot believe that another transfer came and went. It is not real. This transfer has been a lovely but also challenging transfer here and I am ready for some change. SOOOOO to start off with this week I need to explain what happened just hours after my last email to you. It was Y's birthday so we went out to a Japanese Restaurant to celebrate (funny and ironic since Jarom was probably eating sushi at the same time I was.I have had sushi before and loved eating some more with Y, L, and Sorella Lemos. About 30 minutes after we ate, I started to feel a little sick - light headed and a tad nauseous. We were on our way to visit Sorella Fava  for the afternoon and I literally felt like I was going to pass out. By the time we arrived, I was very sick. Luckily we were in the hands of our nonna and she started to take care of me. Two members came to give Sorella Fava a blessing and they decided to give me one as well because I had no color and slept for an hour and a half. One of the members happened to be a nurse and told me that I had probably received food poisoning from the fish (apparently we don't have an enzyme to break down the fish here in Italy?) They told me I had to go home and sleep because this was SERIOUS but I thought I felt well enough to try to keep going. Plus we had 3 lessons planned for the night, one of which with a golden investigator (Sadly, Codi's email cut off and I have no idea how the story ended. She must be doing better since she will be moving to Forli!)

One last visit to Cinque Terre