Palermo

Week 63

(Written on 24 April 2017)

Hello, y'all!

This week was filled with lots of goodness!

Scambio with Sorella Erickson, Meno Attivi who finally let you in, a really great zone conference, and some sweet testimony-building moments with our members here in Palermo.

This week, I wanted to share a thought President Pickerd gave us this week during Zone Conference. As we talked about repentance and change, he had us turn to the classic, well-loved verse D&C 18:13.

"And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!" 

Then he asked the question, "Who's joy?" Based on the context of the rest of the section, we all responded "The Lords!" But then he said "But if it's referring to the Lord, shouldn't he be capitalized? His joy?" 

He further explained he didn't know with certainty who's joy was being referred to in the verse, but it opens up our mind to see the bigger picture. When a soul repenteth, how great is 

His joy (the Lords, because a lost sheep is coming back to the fold)

his joy (the soul that turns and changes for the better)

AND his joy (he one who "labored all his days in crying repentance unto the people" (verse 15)) 

I know that sometimes the word "repent" can seem harsh or scary or a bad thing. But in reality, the chance to change, to start again, to turn is the most joyous thing. I've felt this joy as I myself have changed, and I've felt this joy as I've been able to teach this principle to others. I know, above all, that it is only through Jesus Christ and his Atonement that we are able do this. We are SO imperfect, but we can overcome these imperfections, weaknesses, and worries as we turn to him and seek his help.

I love this work and I love y'all! Hope it's a great week!

Love, 

Sorella Carver

Palermo

Week 62 

HAPPY (Late) EASTER, EVERYONE!

I hope your week was filled with joy and the spirit of Christ. Mine
definitely was! There is no greater joy than this, and I've never had
a more meaningful Easter in my life.

This week Sorella Oehler and I have been studying The Living Christ a
lot. It was spoken of a lot in General Conference, and in preparation
for easter it brought such a sweet spirit. I hope you will all take
the chance to study and read it.

I want to share my favorite paragraphs:

"He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the
New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the
earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing
made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to
fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38),
yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and
goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads
of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising
the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our
premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the
potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.
He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning
sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges,
convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross.
He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great
vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.
We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human
history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was
the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the
Redeemer of the world."

I add my testimony to theirs that I know that he lives, and that his
ways are truly the only way to lead us back home and to find lasting,
true happiness here on Earth. I know he knows us, personally and
individually. His atoning sacrifice was for every person who lived and
will love on the earth, but that doesn't take the individuality out of
it. He knows exactly how you feel and what you are going through.

I love you all and thank you sincerely for you love and support. I
hope it's a wonderful week!

XOXO,
Sorella Carver

Easter Sunday with the anziani

Baptism

with Veronica

Palermo

Week 61

Good morning! Afternoon? ...not sure. Comunque. I love you all!! 

It's been a good week in sunny Palermo. I'm so excited for this next week though, with LA PASQUA coming up!

It seems like just a few days ago, I was in Cosenza, celebrating Easter as a new missionary and stunned by the large chocolate eggs everywhere. I can hardly believe a whole year has gone by!?!

There is no where else I'd rather be or no other work I'd rather be doing during this special season. I don't remember which General Authority said it or when it was said, but I love the quote that says something like, "As you help others come unto Christ, you will find that you yourself have grown closer to him." I can say with 100% certainty that I know that's true. I've never felt closer to my Savior and never felt his love more than I have as a missionary.

Every year, the church creates a video for Easter, and the title for this year is the "Prince of Peace." I LOVE IT.

(**watch it: https://www.mormon.org/?cid=HP_SU_9-4-2017_dMIS_fMORG_xLIDyL1-A_ **)

Each and every single day we hear comments like "We live in such an evil world" or "If only every one believed like you do" or "There's so much sadness". 

The good news, though, is that there IS a way to peace. There is a way to hope, and there is ONE  who can help us overcome all things. "He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was (and IS) a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come." ( from The Living Christ) 

As we come to know him, to understand his doctrine, and follow his example, our lives transform. Trials become learning experiences. Doubts and fears are replaced with hope. Sadness and pain can be changed into joy.

And we can find peace.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (2 Nephi 19:6)

How grateful I am to know that he lives. That he loves us. And that he is always there. We can start again when we mess up, we can turn around when we're going in the wrong direction, and we can become more and more like him every day as we draw upon him and his power. He truly is the prince of peace and the constant source of hope for this constantly changing world.

I love you all and I hope it's a wonderful Easter week filled with love and family and really good chocolate. ;) Thank you for your emails, love, and prayers. 

Love,

Sorella Carver 

Fresh strawberry banana smoothies!

How do you celebrate Easter?

Palermo

Week 60

(Written on 3 April 2017)

Hello, all!

This week was so sunny and beautiful and hot! Until Sunday, and then we had a perfectly rainy General Conference weekend. Oh how much I love General Conference. We're finishing the last session tonight! I hope you all take time to study and read the talks that were given. 

This week we've really put in effort to let Heavenly Father guide our steps and planning. It's been interesting to see where he's led us. Lots of random (but not random) opportunities to serve people I never would have imagined. 

One of the things that stood out to me the most from GC was how much the speakers talked about being a disciple of Christ, and what that truly means. I'm grateful everyday to try to be more like him, to do what he would do, and to serve his other sheep. I'm also extremely grateful for the power of his atoning sacrifice, that gives us the strength to keep going and helps us start again when we fall. I know he lives and, along with our Heavenly Father, loves us more than we can possibly understand. 

I love you all and thank your for your love and support. I hope it's a good week for y'all!

XOXO,

Sorella Carver