Genoa, April 3rd

This past week has been a little crazy because we had to go up to Milano for New Missionary Training. That happened on Friday and it is about a 4 hour round trip on train but my goodness... it is beautiful. I needed to go to the training very badly! Being here in Italy was a little bit harder than I expected. Most of it stems from my frustration of not being able to speak to or understand ANYONE. Alorra, the Lord blesses me day by day to understand just a little bit more. Thursday night, I felt like I was never going to understand or share the gospel. Friday was the perfect recharge I needed to have. Presidente and Sorella Wolfrgramm gave us so much love and support throughout the meeting - they are truly inspired. The best part for me was to see Sorella Stephens and my district again. When I first arrived at the church building, I saw Sorella Stephens' coat and ran upstairs to find her. We screamed and embraced, crying and saying “I love you! I love you! I LOVE YOU!!!!” I felt so much strength being surrounded by all the people I loved. :)

Here is one of the coolest parts of day. On the train back home, I saw a man smiling at us so I said hello. He continued looking at us so I decided to start talking to him. The other Sorelle joined the conversation and we began teaching him about the gospel. At one point, Sorella Gomez turned to me and I just opened my mouth and started to talk. I didn't know what I was going to say or how to say any of it but my mouth was filled with words. I just kept talking about how much God loves us and how we can return to live with him again. The Spirit will guide if we have faith to go forward.

Sunday was Easter Sunday or Pascua. I kept thinking about Jerusalem - one year ago I was in the Garden Tomb. This Easter was just as beautiful... mostly. I felt a migraine coming on our way to church and it hit right before sacrament meeting. I prayed I would be fine for the rest of the day so I could work. After suffering through sacrament meeting, it mostly went away but I felt super tired the rest of church. (I have only had like 5 migraines in my life and I normally drink water, take advil, and sleep. I did two of those things.) Luckily I felt better by the time we left for our lunch appointment with a beautiful family in our ward. Mama mia... we ate sooooo much food!!! I had literally the BEST lasagna I have ever had in my entire life. We also had cannoli, salad, strawberries with fondue, toast with butter and salmon and then tiramisu. I started laughing when they brought out the tiramisu because I was SO FULL!! I loved spending time with the family because it felt like my family. When I speak Italian, I don't feel like myself but I felt like myself around the family. Just goofy. :) I have felt blessed with opportunities to gain confidence in who I am as a missionary in Italy. Heaven Father really does answer our prayers. 

The next day I was out - we had all of our investigators cancel on us and took it as a sign for me to rest. I didn't think I needed it but the Lord knows better than we do... :) I feel so much more prepared to take on my mission, one day at a time of course, because my body and soul had time to rest. Funny thing... I didn't think we could ever have a break as a missionary but we get them when we need them (aka when we are dying)

Okay I need to wrap this up but I just wanted to share a little thought with you. GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!! We get to have the opportunity to listen to a real live PROPHET of GOD!!! AHHH! This is incredible!!! We have been inviting everyone we talk to, to listen to conference. So... maybe you can do the same. :) Also, member missionary work is SOOO important! ALSO, the Book of Mormon is INCREDIBLE!!! I love studying the scriptures for an hour everyday - I have learned so much.

I love you!!!! Thank you for all your support!!! Remember how precious knowledge is! D&C 130:18-19.

Vi voglio bene!!

Sorella Jameson

ITALY!

I am in ITALY!! WOW! Italy!! It was different than what I expected but then again, I had a warped perception from Hollywood films. It reminds me a LOT of Turkey and Jerusalem - more of Turkey. The people here are beautiful and dark. They have dark, olive colored skin and beautiful dark hair and eyes. There are times I feel like I stand out but that mostly stems from my bright colored clothes. Everyone here wears black! This is very similar to Turkey. I just keep thinking that going to Jerusalem was the PERFECT MTC for me to come to Italy of all places. The oldness and beauty here is very similar in Jerusalem. What a blessing!!  

So the first day that we arrived, I found out that both of my big suitcases were GONE! Well, as I learned from Sorella Stephens, I decided to laugh. It was absolutely hilarious really. So I headed to Milan with only my carry on and high spirits. We met our President and his wonderful wife at the airport - I LOVE them!!! I feel so safe and secure with them and know they just love us and care for us. After eating our first Italian pizza (which was literally the best pizza I have ever had in my entire life!) we split into Anziani and Sorelle. What did we do? We took the metro into the city and practiced contacting. Okay... contacting right after flying 24 hours was crazy!! We were so jet lagged and wearing day old clothes. Not only that but it was raining and cold and we didn't have any tights. HILARIOUS!!! We got so many weird looks by people. In fact, one girl gave me a whole body glance up and down with a look of disgust. I just laughed. After some strained training (strained to stay awake) we had dinner at a beautiful restaurant with pizza and lasagna. Some of us were literally falling into our plates because we were so tired. :) OH! Everyone missing their luggage (there were about 12 of us) got it all back except for one suitcase. MINE. Bahahahahah! It was my big one with all my clothes. The blessing was that I got the other one back which had my scarf from Jeru and my mission call so I felt blessed. Have no fear though. I got back my other one the next morning but I was prepared to buy a whole new wardrobe in Italy. Painful, I know. 

The next day, we got our assignments. I was SO nervous!! I didn't want to leave Sorella Stephens and I wasn't prepared to go and work like a real missionary! They announced where a missionary would go by having the trainer describe the location and then say the name. As soon as my trainer stood up, I knew I would be going with her. She started to explain Genova and I felt this panic go through me. What am I doing!? But then she said my name. I stood up and felt this rush of happiness, love, and excitement (very similar to when I opened my call). GENOVA!! I half ran to Sorella Gomez, my new companion and trainer, and hugged her. She told me that she loved me and just hugged me back. I definitely felt this love and a great connection with her. Sorella Wolfgramm stopped us after our picture and told us how blessed we were to work together and how great this will be. So far, she has been 100% correct.  I LOVE Sorella Gomez.

After lunch and goodbyes, we headed to the train station and headed towards Genova on a 2 hour ride. The whole time, we (aka S. Gomez) talked about the gospel Our apartment is BEAUTIFUL!!! It helps that I lived in a dump before and that I now live in Italy. After depositing our things, we left immediately to go to an appointment. It's funny... I thought I knew a little bit of Italian before I left. Now I feel so shell shocked that I cannot really speak or understand. Well that is how it was the first 2 or 3 days. Now I feel like I am understanding more and more! Sorella Gomez is so kind and patient with me too. She has me teach sections of lessons but then just fills in what I miss. Or she will translate for me before or after if I get confused. Speaking another language is weird! There are moments when I don't realize it's different but then there are other moments when I feel so lost. Thankfully I had Jeru for practice. (Church was the most overwhelming so far because SO many people just talk for 3 hours only in Italian and they talk to you but you don't understand. I almost cried.)

On Friday we had several cancelled appointments and ended up doing casa e casa. After  we walked down an entire apartment building, we felt we needed to go to a different one across the street. About 3 or 4 floors into this apartment building, we met a family that let us come in!! It was such a blessing!! On Monday, we came back to teach again to the mother of the family. The Spirit was so strong. We have another appointment with her tonight! It is such a blessing because this is the first casa Sorella Gomez has been able to enter in Genova. Amazing huh!? We have seen so many miracles and blessings just with the last few days. Sorella Gomez and I are really excited to work together this transfer and have a lot of faith for the success and blessings that will come to the people of Italy. We have a lot of great goals and love! I am soooo excited!

On Domenica, I was asked to stand up and bear my testimony. (actually there were 4 of who were going to talk because there were 4 new missionaries in the ward - 6 total!  2 of them are zone leaders opening a new area) At this point, I felt very overwhelmed with everything but I had just taken time to ponder our Savior during the Sacrament. So by the time I stood to speak, I felt confident and strong. I just felt so much love for the people of the ward and for the Lord. Even though I feel weak with my language abilities, I know I can do anything with the Help of the LORD (1 Nephi 17)

La Mia Collega:  Sorella Gomez has been so wonderful to me! I feel very blessed to have her as my trainer and my companion for my first transfer here in Italy. One thing that has really helped me a lot are the kind words Sorella Gomez is always willing to share. She gives me boosting compliments many times throughout the day which helps me feel confident and comfortable. I feel I can do a lot with her help and with the help of the Lord. 

God loves us so much! Dio ci ama! Sempre. Till Next week!

Sorella Codi Jameson :)

Week 5

On Sabato, we had a lesson with Fllo Carrington - who was playing the part of a 50 year old investigator. I was trying to relate the Plan of Salvation to him (in Italian mind you) by comparing him with HF and how HF wanted us to come to earth to be better, just like how parents want their children to leave the home to grow. In Italian, the word for "better" is meglio. I couldn't remember the word when I was trying to explain how by leaving, we become better. So I said something like "Lei vuole suoi figli diventare ... moglie?" I turned to Sorella Stephen's to ask if this was correct and Fllo C. looked at us with a really weird expression. Basically, I had said "You want your children to become... wife?" So I tried explaining "Bene... moglie" - gestering with my hands to show progress of going from good to better. Instead, I was saying "good ... wife" Finally, Fllo C. asked if I meant meglio. S. Stephens immediately started to CRACK up!!! She literally lost it. Laugh attack. Then Fllo C. lost it. He tried to remain composed but couldn't. I kept trying to bear my testimony about how we want to become better but I continued to say "wife" over and over again. I think it took about 10 minutes to finally get that point across. It was hilarious.

On Domenica, I had the opportunity to say a prayer at the devotional. Sorella Stephens and I sat on the front stand with two other Elders - Anziani Gemmel and McArthur. (A. Gemmel is from New Zealand). Before the start, the speaker asked if we could help out during the devotional to which we said yes. Well we watched a video and he came over and asked if we could comment on it. Immediately, I said CRAP and A. Gemmel said "CRAP! I wasn't even listening! I was falling asleep!"  So he stood up and and said "well I wasn't listening..." Anyway, we made our comments and as always, S. Stephens made the entire congregation of missionaries CRACK up. She said that the missionaries invited... "What did they do?" said the speaker. "They inviiiiiited!!!" Her voice escalated 3 octives. I love it.

OKAY I am 20 minutes over my time limit!!! I just don't know when I will write again - well... it will be IN ITALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHH!!! So I was feeling REALLY scared about leaving to Italy. I cannot speak Italian. I am going to be in a different country. I was scared. Then, my incredible companion shared a wonderful scripture with me. It is Helaman 10:4. Basically, it explains how we should not have fear because we are doing the Lord's work FOR the Lord. This is not for me. It is for the LORD. He will not let me down. He will be helping me through all of this if I allow him to. I am now so excited to go to Italy for the People. For the Lord.

I love being a missionary! I love this Gospel with my whole heart and soul. EVERYONE deserves the Atonement - it is INFINITE!!! I love you all!!

LOVE,

Sorella Codi Layne Jameson

Week 4

JAROM IS GOING ON A MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sooooo sooooo SOOOOOOOO excited and proud of him!!!!!!! Last Friday I was getting a salad from the Wrap bar for lunch when the girl who was serving me said "Jarom Levi Jameson got his mission call." I was a little shocked that she was talking to me and that she said "Jarom" After asking her "What?" in a shocked voice, she said again "Jarom got his mission call last night."
"Jarom?! He got it last night?! Did he open it?!"
"Yeah!" after looking down at her name tag, I discovered it was Emma Simpson.
"Okay.... I don't want you to tell me! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! OH MY GOSH!!!" She laughed and agreed it was best for me to not hear.
I didn't want to eat. When my DL came back with the mail I demanded for a dear elder. He only handed me a package slip - which was from my family. Ironically, I didn't want a package. I only wanted a dear elder to find out where he went. Finally I got it at dinner. My DL waited to hand it to me until after I had eaten for a little bit so I wouldn't stare. So kind and yet so cruel.... I ripped it out of his hands and opened it right there - even though we weren't supposed to. My eyes went immediately to Fukuoka Japan. WHAT!!!!!!!!!! JAPAN!!!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! My heart was sad for a split second that it wasn't Italy but I was soooo overcome with joy I cried and laughed and told everyone I met. I am soooo proud of you buddy!! Just a few days ago I met some elders going to Japan. I literally screamed. One even covered his ears and backed away from me. They are soooo great! I told them all about Jarom and told them we were going to be friends. I plan on finding them tonight and talking to them. :)

Something that has been really on my mind lately is just how important family is for our life. Heavenly Father gave us families to BLESS us and make us happy. Funny how sometimes we do not appreciate that as much growing up. We think our family is annoying or we wish to have another. Then when we get older, we realize just how much our family means to us.  I couldn't have asked for better parents. One thing that I have come to know is how much the temple blesses families and how family oriented it is. There is a Mormon message on this (aka you should watch it).

Hermana Crystal Myler is also in the MTC with me which is just fun! I rarely see her because our schedules are completely different but she brings me so much joy when I see her.

Week 3

I am over halfway done with the MTC. 19 days left until I fly to ITALY!!! It is crazy when I think about - after my time here in this strange world of the MTC, I am going to ITALY. Not for a semester, not for a trip, but for a whole 16 months. Isn't that weird?! I am so used to moving and changing my life every few months ( think of the life I lived last year - Jerusalem, EFY, and BYU) but now I will be in one country, doing the same thing for a year and half. The best part is that I will being doing what I love!!! Serving the Lord on a mission. Every now and then, I will look down at the name tag over my heart and just think "WOAH.... I am a MISSIONARY!" I love my name-tag, I love my companion, I love my district, I love Italian, I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!

This week has gone by so fast, it's hard to believe that it is already P-day again. What has happened in the last week? Sorella Stephen's and I are slowly but surely getting a little better at Italian. When I teach a lesson, words just come out of my mouth that I didn't think I knew. Isn't the Spirit amazing? Afterwards, S. Stephens gives me a huge hug and we immediately thank Heavenly Father for His help throughout the lesson. I still LOVE my companion SO much! Seriously, we get along so well together. I couldn't have asked for a better companion! On Tuesday, M. Russell Ballard talked at our devotional!!! CRAZY!!!! We were like 7 rows back too. ( we were supposed to be in the Choir but we were one seat short .... literally have THAT many people who want to sing) :) He didn't say anything that was mind-blowing but he said some important things. Here is what he said - We know a LOT! Have confidence when you talk because you KNOW things!! The work is important and WE are important. The work does not end after our mission either. I had such a strong thought about my future family and how I need to remember to always TEACH the gospel, just how mama and daddy did that for me. Anyway, I need to let an Anziano on the computer. Oh!! My district is INCREDIBLE!!! I love them soooo much! The Anziani call me "Mom" which literally makes my day every time they do it.

Week 2- MTC

I finished week 2 of the MTC!!! It is so crazy to think I have been here for 2 weeks already and yet I think to myself "it has only been 2 weeks!?" That means I have only 4 weeks left of the MTC before I hit Italy. Does this make me excited? Yes. Am I scared? Yes. I am freaking out. The language is definitely difficult but when I stop and think about it, I realize that I have definitely been blessed by our Heavenly Father with the ability to learn a language. I know a LOT more than I would have with out the Lord. Seriously though, it has been two weeks and yet I can Pray in Italian, bare my testimony in Italian, and almost have simple conversations in Italian. Sorella Stephens and I are still struggling quite a bit and have felt pretty humbled while learning. I still love her SOOOO much!! I was really blessed to be given her as a companion. Whenever I face new and difficult challenges, I deal with them sooooo much better with a good and constant friend by my side. That is how Sorella Stephens is for me - an AMAZING companion who is ALWAYS there for me!

So I want to share a really cool experience I had this week.  On Monday we had the opportunity to teach in TRC - Teaching Resource Center. Basically we get to teach church members for 20 minutes or so on whatever they need, whether it be a spiritual thought or addressing a concern. We ended up teaching an actually working who was fluent in multiple languages instead of a volunteer b/c of the high number of stinken Italian missionaries. Neither of us understood a single word that she said. Her accent was sooooo thick and spoke sooooo fast that S. Stephens and I would simply turn and blink at one another. It was great. But then we shared our favorite scriptures. I shared Alma 26:35-37 and Sorella Stephens shared 1 Nephi 3:7 in Italian. While I was reading, it just clicked in my mind what I was saying. The Spirit poured over me and in the room and I started to CRY. Sorella Stephen's scripture had the same effect. This same experience happened with our second volunteer too who was an RM from Milan. WOW! We learned that the Spirit  makes up from what our language lacks, whether we can actually speak it or not. It was so testimony building and gave us faith to keep working hard. This IS the Lord's work that we are doing. I love being a missionary!

Fun events at the MTC: Last Thurday I ran into my friend Carlos at the MTC. I haven't seen him since my freshman year of school and it was soooooo wonderful to see him! This week I got a package from the Mendivil family. Yes, the Mendivil Family. You know, the cousin's of Erin Ramberg Hoff? It made my whole day and week! I also ran into another friend, Brok, who I haven't seen for almost 3 years. I love it!!

Io so che Dio ci ama! Io so che il Vangelo di Gesu Cristo e vero.

February 14, 2013

I would LOVE letters from Dear Elder!

I still cannot believe that I am a missionary. Almost every morning I have woken up so confused as to where I am and what I am doing. Then I think "dang... I am a missionary!" It is so GREAT!! I love being called Sorella or Sister by EVERYONE! So far the MTC is amazing. I absolutely love it here. 

My companion (mia collega) is incredible!!!! She is soooooo much like my roommate Lauren and has the funnest and most carefree personality. I love her :) 

The Italian has been... difficult but good. I keep trying to pronounce things with a French accent instead of Italian which is funny because Italian is VERY straight forward. Sometimes I sit in class and think "How in the WORLD am I going to do this?!" I'll get it. Last Friday we began teaching in Italian. Yep. Two days after entering the MTC. The most I could say was "Mi chiama Sorella Jameson" so you can imagine how that went.

The thing I wanted to share the most about my experience so far is just HOW important missionary work is - along with my purpose. It is on the first page of chapter 1 of PMG. "To invite others to come unto Christ by receiving the Restored gospel through Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." WOW!

I just feel like this will be one of the MOST important things I have EVER done in my entire life!