Palermo

Week 59

(written on 27 March 2017)

Hello friends and family!!

Two big items of the week: 

The angel Moroni has been placed on top of the Roma temple!!!!! Progress!!!  

Here's the video:

And two, I'm staying in Palermo with Sorella Oehler for transfer number four! I'm excited to see what's in store for us this transfer. :)

This week, Heavenly Father has blessed me with many opportunities to serve. Some expected, some unexpected, some big, some small. It's been humbling and wonderful all at the same time. 

I gave a talk in P3 on Sunday, and shared this story from a talk by Elder Uchtdorf:

"An old Jewish legend tells of two brothers, Abram and Zimri, who owned a field and worked it together. They agreed to divide both the labor and the harvest equally. One night as the harvest came to a close, Zimri could not sleep, for it didn’t seem right that Abram, who had a wife and seven sons to feed, should receive only half of the harvest, while he, with only himself to support, had so much.

So Zimri dressed and quietly went into the field, where he took a third of his harvest and put it in his brother’s pile. He then returned to his bed, satisfied that he had done the right thing.

Meanwhile, Abram could not sleep either. He thought of his poor brother, Zimri, who was all alone and had no sons to help him with the work. It did not seem right that Zimri, who worked so hard by himself, should get only half of the harvest. Surely this was not pleasing to God. And so Abram quietly went to the fields, where he took a third of his harvest and placed it in the pile of his beloved brother.

The next morning, the brothers went to the field and were both astonished that the piles still looked to be the same size. That night both brothers slipped out of their houses to repeat their efforts of the previous night. But this time they discovered each other, and when they did, they wept and embraced. Neither could speak, for their hearts were overcome with love and gratitude.

This is the spirit of compassion: that we love others as ourselves, seek their happiness, and do unto them as we hope they would do unto us." 

I am grateful for the opportunity that we have everyday to serve and be filled with compassion for those around us. I know that as we pray and seek for chances to serve God's children, he will guide us to them. 

I love you all and hope it's been a good week! Happy General Conference weekend by the way!! 

Love,

Sorella Carver

Palermo

Week 58

(written 20 March 2017)

Buongiorno, y'all!
Well this week just flew by, didn't it?! And tonight is transfer
calls? MAMMA MIA.
HOW can another transfer be done and gone already?!?

This week has been full of good things and lots of joy in doing the work.
One Tuesday we chose to go to the university and do some finding.
Lately, our leaders have been challenging us to focus more on the
"golden age" group and it definitely brings miracles! We met a cute
girl named Giorgia who wanted to know more about the Book of Mormon
and what we believe, and agreed to see us the next day! The next
morning, We met in this serene little wooded park on campus and had a
beautiful discussion about the restoration. As we quoted Joseph Smith's
words of the first vision, it got very quiet and it felt like a little
piece of heaven. The birds chirped and everything was still for a few
moments. The Spirit had brought us a little piece of the sacred grove
here in Palermo, Italy. I was filled with gratitude for my knowledge
and testimony that these things ARE true. That they really did
happen, and that they can change the story of all humankind.

Zina and Christian are doing well. We had a great lesson with Zina
Saturday night about the sacrament and church attendance, something
they have been having trouble with. Another great lesson where the
spirit taught us all, and I walked away super excited for Sunday
morning to roll around.

Only, Sunday also happened to be San Giuseppe, or Father's Day, and
there was a huge 5k Race going on in centro, which messed up the bus
system COMPLETELY. So we get all ready Sunday morning and head out for
our hour long viaggio to church. We wait. And wait. And wait. At the
bus stop. Nothing.... better start walking. So we walked all the way
from the house to the station, passing the beloved San Giuseppe
dad/kids 5k, and took the tram and finally made it to church....20
minutes late!! Good thing there were lots of announcements, and we
made it for sacrament! (Also Christian came and beat us! Haha. We ran
in so quietly I didn't even see him till I turned around 5 minutes
later, and there he was, sitting all happy next to Anziano Young!)

Other fun happenings this week:
-We and the P2 Elders surprised everyone and made milkshakes after
DDM! It was pretty delicious.
-Our favorite pizzeria is closing, so we had to go as a group and get
one last one. Most of the table conversation revolved around how we
could no way not ever eat an entire American pizza, but Italian
pizza, it's totally possible. No idea how. But it's so good. Fratelli
La Bufala will be missed.
-We had a great meal appointment with the Pulvirenti family and la
coppia Garrett on Tuesday, and then one with the Manninos Wednesday
night. I sure do love our members here.
-Veronica (a GANS here that we are trying to work with a lot) came
with us to a lesson and did a great job. Then she came with us as we
tried to visit another investigator and a recent convert from P3 and
it was neat to see her light up doing missionary work. Then we walked
together to the P1 church for the GANS FHE. It's really amazing to see
how when we work side by side, our work is easier and faster, and the
members are lit up with the fire of missionary work. It's really the
best way to do it!
-We ate with Vida, Elizabeth, and Eric (P3 members) on Sunday! African
food!!!!!! Including this thing called Shito...basically fish and
shrimp jam. That was interesting. But all in all it was so good. And
their company is so sweet, too. We are just so blessed. This sweet
family has such a great spirit and power, despite the hardships they
face. I learn a lot from them.

Who knows what this next week's got in store, but I'm just excited. The
work of the Lord is hastening on, and I'm so grateful we get to be a
part of it! I know that the light of the gospel changes lives, because
I've seen it change mine every day. And it will continue to.

I love you all and hope you all are doing well! Spero che sia una
bellissima settimana per ognuno di voi. Vi voglio bene!
XOXO
Sorella Carver

flowers going to a sister at church

when you accidentally write on your white board with a sharpie :(

With Vida

Shito - African shrimp and fish dish

Last meal at Fratelli La Bufala

Palermo

Week 57

Hello friends and family!

It's been a pretty sunny week here in Palermo with lots of stuff going
on. My favorite part of the week was a Festa we had Friday night,
planned by the missionaries. We invited English Course students,
investigators, members from both wards...everybody!!!

One of my favorite Corso students, Enzo, kept asking, "But WHY are we
having a party?! WHAT are we celebrating?!" And we just would respond
"Why not? There's tons to celebrate - la vita, l'amicizia... dai,
Festeggiamo!"

The Festa turned out to be a huge hit. We played tons of Minute to Win
It games, ping pong, foosball, and had a balloon popping dancing
contest. It was a blast. The turn-out was great and we saw some
miracles!

This week, I've been living in Italy for a year. I don't know how to
describe to y'all how fast that time has gone, but it's been fast.
We're finishing up my 9th transfer and I'm not sure how...? But I can
tell you one thing is that I've fallen in love with this country,
these people, and the message of joy that we share. There is nothing
quite like waking up everyday and knowing you are going to help others
find faith in Christ and change their lives...it ends up really just
changing you! We have so much to be grateful for, so much to
celebrate, and so much love to share.

I love you all and I'm grateful for the love and support you send me!

Love,
Sorella Carver

Ward Festa

Palermo

Week 56

(Written on 6 March 2017)

Hello, everyone!!

As always, I procrastinated in the group email. I'm sorry. I promise next week I will do better! Haha so for today, here's a quote that really hit me during personal study and some pictures from the week. :) 

We are told, “Men are, that they might have joy” (​2 Nephi 2:25​). This does not mean that God will magically fill our lives with happiness. Happiness is a choice for most of us. It takes effort and the practice of gratitude, trust, and faith. The negative can take all the room in our lives if we allow it. We may not be able to change the circumstances in our lives, but we can choose how we react to them. President Thomas S. Monson said, “We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we ​choose​ a positive attitude.”​​

I've seen this promise work in my mission, and in this week, and I know it works. I love you all! Have an awesome week!

Love,

Sorella Carver 

Zone Conference - Mar 1, 2017