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 

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