Cosenza

Week 8

Easter Greetings from Sorella Pinnegar and me!

Hello all!

Hope every one had a wonderful Easter. We definitely did! 

I have officially been in Cosenza for a week now! This week has been full of new experiences and adjusting to the new missionary life! The "greenie" adrenaline is wearing off a bit, and we "sprang forward" in time on Saturday night, so there are some days I can't keep my eyes open ;). But the work is going well and I'm loving everything we do!

This week we spent a lot of time visiting with members of the church and getting to know them. It was nice to put names to faces and start to build relationships with the wonderful people here! 

Easter Sunday was really great! We had church as usual and then had Pranzo with la famiglia Lopez. They are a really sweet family and it was great to be in a "home" environment for this special holiday! Not to mention homemade gnocchi and giant chocolate eggs ;) (It's a good thing we walk everywhere!)

Easter Pranzo with La Famiglia Lopez and Roberta

 

One neat experience I had is week was when we went to visit a less active Sister who lives in Amantea. We had to take about a 40 min train ride and then walk for 30 minutes once we got there. It was really really rainy and cold that day, and just super cloudy and gloomy so it was a bit of a trek. We also didn't know exactly where she lived and got lost a couple times haha. 

Sister Leone is a very humble, sweet women. We spent a lot of time visiting with her, and she seemed like she really needed the company. 

However, I felt somewhat discouraged as we left her apartment way out in the middle of nowhere... I had hardly said anything (I think I said the prayer and then "sì" a few times and that was about it haha) and hadn't understood much more of the conversation. I felt like I had done very little to help this sweet woman...

As we walked back to the train station we took the street that is very close to the beach. The water was clear blue, and the waves were really big and choppy. I'm super grateful we walked that way :) It reminded me of home and the people that love me there.  I was reminded of my all powerful and all knowing Father in heaven, who is aware of me and knows I'm trying my best. He knows I was called to serve in Italy and for specific reasons, even if it would be challenging sometimes. 

Later, during studies, I came across this quote from President Thomas S. Monson:

 “I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments.”

I'm grateful for the chance we had to go visit Sister Leone. If anything, I hope she felt our love and care for her, and she was reminded of the comfort and joy of the gospel. Sometimes rain clouds and storms gather in our lives (literally and spiritually!) but with our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can always have hope and happiness. This gospel has brought so many blessings to me throughout my entire life, and it's what's keeps me grounded now. It's the joy and gift that I now get to share with everyone that I meet, every day for the next year and a half :) And I'm so so grateful for that!

Love you all and hope you have a fantastic week! 

Sorella Carver :) 

Italy: Arriving in Rome, Assigned to Cosenza

Weeks 6 & 7 

My MTC travel group touring Rome - Mar 15, 2016 (I'm 2nd from left, back row)

Hello everybody!

I am actually in Italy this week!! I keep pinching myself because I
still can't believe it.

Soooo I feel like my family has been kinda playing "Where's Waldo"
(but more like "Where's Sorella Carver" hah) all week because they
knew I arrived in Rome on Tuesday, but they wouldn't know what area I
would be serving in until today!

And I'm in Cosenza! It's this beautiful, small, mountain top city in
Southern Italy. The people here are wonderful.

So here's what happened...

Missionary Training Center

Week 5

3 more days in the MTC! We got our flight plans last week and we leave bright and early Monday morning and will arrive in Rome Tuesday morning. 

Yesterday we listened to the last talk by President Monson. It is really amazing!

This video link perfectly described my purpose right now, and I really loved it:

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-10-410-be-a-light-in-the-lives-of-others-veme?lang=eng

I also loved when he said,

"As we make Christ the center of our lives, our fears will be replaced by the courage of our convictions."

I know that this is true. I know that when we come unto Christ, when we follow his example and live his teachings, our lives are blessed and we are able to more fully help others in the journey of life. I am grateful for President Monson and his teachings. From this talk I learned that I still have so much to work on as I try to follow the Savior, but that as I do so, my fears and doubts won't be able to exist. Like he said, the Savior is our exemplar and our STRENGTH. 

I'm so excited for this next week! I hope you all are doing well. I am grateful for you all and your love and support! 

Vi voglio tanto bene! 

Love,

Sorella Carver  

Happy Day when care packages arrive!

Sorella Sargeant and me at the Provo Temple

Missionary Training Center

Week 4

So MORE changes this week! 

Due to visa issues, the missionary travel department discovered that it was impossible for us to fly out a week early. SO we are staying the full time! I was very very excited to get going, but I'm also very very grateful for this week that I have to continue to learn and study! An extra week won't do much, it's going to be a huge shock either way, but I'm sure every extra moment will help. :) 

With all the confusion, there was a lot of worry among all the Italy-bound missionaries. (Our little group - called a Zone - has 21 missionaries in it. 7 elders and 21-7=? sisters... can't do math at 8:30 in the morning.... or ever actually! ;)) This week I have learned a LOT about trusting in the Lord. 

This scripture in Proverbs 3:5-6 came to mind a lot: 

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." 

We don't always know why things happen the way they do, which way to go, or what to do next. But I know that we have a loving Heavenly Father who knows ALL. He is watching over us, and wants the best for us. As we strive to follow His will, we will be led by Him. 

I love this video clip that talks about the will of God:

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/the-will-of-god-2

So, while I'm a little disappointed to not be headed to Italy on Monday, I know that God has a plan and a reason. 

Other than that, there's not much news this week! Almost everyday we have 6 hours of class, and then about 4 hours of study time. We should be getting travel plans tomorrow though, so maybe this coming week will have more things to share! And then after that.... it's off to Roma! For real this time. ;)

Love you all and grateful for your love and support. 

Love,

Sorella C

Missionary Training Center

Week 3

BIG CHANGES and Having Courage

Hello all! 

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER JESSA! Give her a huge hug for me if you see her! 

And secondly, GO COUGARS! RISE AND SHOUT! I'm proud of you Jadie! Welcome to the fam. ;) Congrats to everybody else headed to BYU/BYUI. 

This week has been full of changes. Last Thursday night, we found out there was a mistake in the system, and we are due to be in Rome on March 7th instead of March 14th. They did everything they could to get us to be able to stay that extra week in the MTC so we could continue learning Italian, but the new missionaries are needed that week for replacements.

SO. I am headed to Italy a week earlier than I thought! 

And with that... this week I have learned a lot about courage. Our teacher showed us this video about Esther that I loved.

Sometimes we HAVE to face things that scare us. (Like going to a foreign country a week early than you planned! And not feeling confident in the language!) BUT, I love this quote. (I think its from Dieter F. Uchtdorf, but I forgot to check - so don't quote me on that...)

"All men have fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well."

We all have fears and challenges in life, but when we face them head on and determine to do what is right, our Heavenly Father will help us in every way. Sometimes, just pressing on and doing the little things that we can are the greatest acts of courage. (And helping others along the way is so important too!) 

Thank you all for your prayers, love, and support! Next email will be T-minus 3 days till Italy. So crazy! So nervous, but mostly so excited to share the Gospel and the love of Christ with others. 

Love you all,

Sorella Carver 

Sister Leathern and me

"The Plan of Salvation" diagrams we created in Italian!

Missionary badges of the sisters in my district

Missionary Training Center

Week 2

Good morning!

This week has been awesome! I hope it's been the same for y'all.

It's hard to believe I've already been here for two weeks! Some days seems to last for what feels like eternity, but before I know it, a whole week has gone by. Everyday we practice teaching and working with other people. So everyday we are learning to use Italian, and everyday brings new challenges and successes! We also have devotionals with amazing speakers every Tuesday and Sunday evening. These have been really awesome to go to. 

My companion's name is Sorella Leathern, and we have had a ton of fun working together and getting to know each other more and more every day. It'll be hard to say goodbye at the end of our MTC stay! 

We do a lot of the same things everyday, but hopefully once I'm in Italy, my emails can have more stories and experiences. :)

This week I've learned a lot about prayer. I'm so grateful for prayer in my life and the ways that it has blessed me. I know that prayer is a gift from our Father in Heaven, and that we can communicate with him by using this gift. During the week, I know that I can ask for help, express gratitude, or pray for comfort at any time. And that has been a huge blessing. 

I love this quote from Gordon B. Hinckley: 

"Get on your knees and ask for the blessing of the Lord, then stand on your feet and do what you are asked to do."

Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers, and when we follow through with the promptings and inspiration we receive we will be blessed even more. I know this because I've seen this work in my life, and it's my hope that you all will too. 

I love you all and I am grateful for you! 

Love,

Sorella Kaitlin Carver

Sorella Leathern and me

Sorella Leathern and me working hard in class!

My MTC District in the classroom:  these are the awesome Elders and Sisters I spend ALL day with EVERY day!

Missionary Training Center

Week 1

Hello all! 

For those of you who don't know, I'll be at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) for six weeks before I go to Italy. Here I am learning Italian and how to teach. 

It's been a whirlwind of a week but my new favorite phrase is "C'e la fate!" which means "You can do it!" This week has been filled with many new challenges and also many new exciting things. I'm learning so much, but sometimes it is really difficult! But this phrase has helped me keep a good perspective and remember that I really can do this!

I know, however, that we cannot do it alone. During one of our meetings this week we watched this video clip. If you have second, I hope you'll take some time to watch it. 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-10-38-lifting-burdens?lang=eng

I love this quote from Elder David A. Bednar. He said, "We mistakenly believe that we must make the journey from good to better and become a saint all by ourselves, through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline. But the Gospel of the Savior is not simply about avoiding bad in our lives, it is essentially about doing and becoming good. And the Atonement provides help for us to overcome and avoid bad, and to do and become good."

I know that with the help of Jesus Christ and his Atonement, we can have our burdens lifted, we can be comforted when we are discouraged, and we can become who he wants us to be. 

I know that this is true, and knowing this has helped me so much this week! 

I love you all and hope you are doing well. :) 

Ciao, 

Sorella Kaitlin Carver 

MAR14 ITA-ROM

2005 North 900 East

Unit 92

Provo, UT 84602

My MTC Zone (I'm second from left, front row)