Cagliari

Week 68

Hello, Folks!

Well, it's been a crazy three weeks. Please excuse my lack of emails!
All is well and I'm loving Cagliari more than ever... I may just be a
little lazy in writing things out. 😬 I'll do my best to catch up a
little bit today though.

To keep things light, I'll start off with the dream I had last
Saturday night. I kid you not it was all about pizza......
My sister and I were living in the house I grew up in as a kid and it
was late at night and I decided we should order a pizza. I told her
all about the delicious italiane margherite and how we should get two
because si può mangiare una intera and it would only be like €6. (I
love Italy.) So we call it in and we get to waiting. A little
impatiently. I check the time and it's like 10:20pm and I start
freaking out. "Jade, its ALMOST 10:30 AND WE'LL HAVE TO GO TO BED. OUR
PIZZA WILL NEVER MAKE IT IN TIME" (#missionaryschedule). Then at like
10:27 the doorbell rings. Only it was some sad American pizza company
that had updated my order to two supreme pizzas and cheese sticks for
$37.60 and didn't have margheritas. So I shut the door very sadly and
said, "Jade, we just have to go to bed. There's no time to order
another pizza, and I CANNOT PAY $37.60 for THAT."
And then the alarm went off. And I had no clue what day it was.

La vita della missionaria. Hahahaha.

Some highlights from this week's adventures:

A cone of a delicious scoop ricotta e noci gelato (with honey drizzled
throughout) next to a scoop of Pistacchio. Mamma mia. I'd died and
gone to heaven.

We've started to Sorelle FHEs Sunday night for fun and for our
"activity" last night we did "Laughter Therapy". Vi spiego. You all
lay on your back. And start laughing. And if the laughter stops,
someone has to start laughing. Vi prego...TRY IT. It made my year and
my abs are sore this morning. If you need to smile, just do it,

Another exciting, much more spiritual experience this week was
Patrizia's (the other Sorelles investigator) baptism! It was Sunday
evening and it may have been the most beautiful baptism I've been to
on my mission. The spirit was so strong and she was so ready. After
the baptism, we sang the hymn "I Am a Child of God" as missionaries.
Watching members and investigators sing along and shed a tear or two
just reminded me of the power of that simple truth: we are ALL
children of god, with a divine potential and destiny. And when one of
his children takes that first step towards returning home to him, he
is so happy. I am so joyful for patrizia, and I am so glad I got to be
there for her special day.

Saturday morning we had a neat experience. It was another morning of
Ricerca, and we had planned to go to a neighboring town. But all
during our exercise run and getting ready that morning, something kept
nagging me that that wasn't right. I tried to just kinda push it
aside, thinking maybe It was just me not wanting or feeling one
hundred percent like going there and doing that kind of finding. But
when we sat down to plan, I brought it up and Sorella Fielding said
the same thing. MENO MALE. We change plans and headed out. For the
first couple hours it wasn't super successful. Despite being a
Saturday morning, not a whole Lot of people were out, but we did our
best to talk to the ones we knew we should. We had about thirty
minutes left before heading back home, and we needed to stop at the
grocery store to get some things. We had planned to stop by the port
for swoop of finding along lungo Mare, but i started to justify that
too thinking "naw, we can just head home, we've done enough"

But then we pushed the button and got off the bus anyways. And thank
goodness! The first girl we talked to was like "Yeah...I'm not
interested" as soon as we started talking to her.

On to the next girl by herself on a bench.

"Excuse me, have you ever seen this book?" Companion points to book Of Mormon.
"Si.....in a play in London I think"
"Davvero, what did you learn about it?"
AND then she just starts speaking into us in English (l'accento è
forte so if they speak English they just switch over hahahaha)

Her name was Cinzia and she'd lived in London for six years with her
husband. They just recently moved back to Cagliari because her husband
was getting very sick, and when they moved back here they found out he
had cancer. They past year had been hard and scary, and despite that
things are looking much better now, they have been on a roller coaster
for sure.

We were able to bear sweet and simple testimonies of Christ and his
healing power. We testified of the power of the book Of Mormon and its
role as we try to draw nearer unto Him. She gladly accepted the copy,
and promised she would read it. She didn't want to give us contact
information, but I made her promise that if she liked what she read
and wanted to know more, she would call us.
As we said goodbyes she goes "Thanks for sharing this joy...and enjoy
the sun today, okay?!" Haha made me smile.
As we walked away, we turned around to glance back and she had already
started reading. :)

Sharing simple, eternal truths with our fellow brothers and sisters
here in this life really is one of the most joyful things I've ever
felt.
We shared a scripture with Cinzia found in Alma 7:11-13
""11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and
temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled
which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his
people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of
death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their
infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to
the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his
people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God
suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins
of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according
to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony
which is in me.""

We are all so different in this crazy world (16 months with 8
different colleghe has made me sure of that haha!). We had different
worries, dreams, talents, and trials. But the savior and redeemer of
the world came so that he could completely understand, completely
heal, and know us perfectly. So whether it's a struggling missionary
or a young wife on a park bench, He KNOWS what we are feeling and
facing and he stands ready to succor with open arms. It is up to us to
turn to him and apply his teaching and power in our lives, but it is
universal and available to all. I know that with all my heart.
I'm grateful to be an instrument in his hands to serve in whatever
shape or form that may be, and I know that the call to discipleship is
a life long calling. I love this work with all my heart.
AND I love y'all! I hope it is a fantastic week! A dopo!

XOXO
Sorella Carver

Cagliari

Weeks 66 & 67

Pictures sent on May 15th and 22nd, 2017

Cagliari

Week 65

Hellooo from the beautiful island of Sardegnaaaaa! I'm in Cagliari!!

It has been a crazy week, and I still can't believe all that has happened.

Monday night was transfer calls! Cagliari with Sorella Fielding!!

Sorella Erickson and I both left Palermo, while our comps stayed. We

ran all over the place for the next few days trying to say good bye to

people. Six months gave me plenty of time to make some really sweet

friendships, and it was hard to say so many goodbyes at once! I love

Palermo and the people there!

Then Wednesday night I got to packing after a dinner appointment. I DO

NOT suggest trying to meet weight requirements for a flight in the

last few months of your mission. It was quite the feat but I'm pretty

sure the guy at the baggage weigh in thing turned an eye...I might

have been a kilo or two over... 😏

Then bright and early Thursday morning, the Garretts took me to the

airport. And THAT was a hard goodbye! Mamma mia.

Flying was weird...especially by myself without a phone. I hope I

never have to do that again haha.

Thursday afternoon I landed in the beautiful city of Cagliari and met

up with Sorella Fielding! I'm so excited to serve with her! She's in

her fourth transfer and as sweet as sweet can be. We share the city

with two sets of elders and another set of sisters, none other than

the lovely sorella Frogley and Leathern (MY MTC COMP!!) Its just too

fun.

Cagliari is beautiful! It's very clean and very...almost American?

Haha basically the complete opposite of Palermo. The members here seem

great and can't wait to get to know them.

I'm excited for the work and the experiences we'll have here. It's

weird to be starting over again after being in Palermo for so long,

but I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve in this wonderful city!

I think it was last week I mentioned using the BOM to answer

questions. Sorella Fielding and I decided to search for some answers

that people could give us to a question we sometimes ask: "What brings

you happiness in this life?" We decided that if they answered "Family"

we would share Alma 5:38 and talk about the family of god, and how he

wants us all back home.

On Sunday, we went out for some Finding and met a sweet woman named

Alessandra. Her family is going through a bit of a hard time right now

and she's looking for peace and answers as she tries to help them as

best she can. It was amazing to see how what we prepared fit to her

needs exactly, even though we hadn't even met her! We should be seeing

her tomorrow again and I'm hopeful she will be receptive to learning

more. :)

I know the scriptures have the answers to life's questions and they

allow us to hear the lords voice and feel his love. I know that the

truth we find in the book Of Mormon and the Bible bring our families

more peace, joy, and happiness than we can possibly imagine.

I'm excited to begin this next chapter in Cagliari! I love and miss

you all and hope it's a great week!

XOXO,

Sorella Carver

with Cynthia

with la famiglia Albanese

with la famiglia Pulvirenti

with Zina

with Sorella Oehler

with Veronica

le sorelle di Cagliari

with Sorella Fielding

  

Palermo

Week 64

(written on 1 May 2017)

Family and peeps! I hope it's been a good week!!

This weeks been crazy, weird, good, and filled with lots of
interesting things. Like every week haha! Heading into the week, we
new we'd be doing lots Finding, and that proved to be true haha. But
it was good and we found some pretty good people and had some fun
experiences along the way.

Some of my favorite moments from this week:
-Elizabeth (a cute P3 member) had a birthday on Saturday! She's only
been in Italy for less than a year, and is just going through a lot in
an already crazy transitional period of life. When we saw her Friday
night we were like "Elisabeth...we are bringing you a surprise
tomorrow. When can we come over?!" We set an appointment and got to
work making some brownies and a card. :) Saturday rolls around and we
go with Veronica to deliver our goodies and sing to her. Only...she
wasn't there when we got there. :( But after we called her and suonato
at the citofono a few times, we decided to leave it at the door and
let it be a real surprise. Turns out she had run out to do errands and
while she was out her dad called her from Africa, so she couldn't
answer. She was so happy for the surprise though and it was just so
sweet to help this young woman celebrate a day that could have easily
been forgotten. They always tell us to bring our gifts and talents to
the mission and use them to bless others... does baking count?!
Comunque, I love simple service. And I love Elisabeth!
-Thursday we were out doing some street contacting and an adorable old
siciliana woman was walking down the street with her nipote. As I walk
to one side to let her pass by, she stops suddenly and looks straight
at me and goes "Sei belllllllaaaa!" And just kept on walkin. Made my
day. And made us laugh. Was not expecting that!
-Also on Thursday after our spiritual Thought that we share after
every English Course, Cristina (remember her? She's Enzo's wife. I
love that couple) pipes up and goes "And now it's my turn. I just want
to thank you all for these thoughts you share every time. Sometimes we
run in life and forget to be still for a moment. Every Tuesday and
Thursday you help us remember Him and slow down for a little." I love
Cristina and I love her for expressing that to us. Sometimes, we do
things because we need to do them but they mainly go unnoticed.
Sometimes I feel like sometimes no one is actually listening to our
little thoughts...but she is! And that makes it soooo worth it.

-During ZC last week, the APs did an addestramento on the BOM and
using it to answer questions we get everyday. So this week during
personal study I tried to find an answer to a question every time I
read from the BOM. What a cool experience! Everyday I was able to find
something, and often, more than one!


-During Weekly Planning this week, we were getting a little distracted
because Transfer calls are looming on the horizon like a dark summer
thunderstorm. (Tonight will tell!) Anyways, the following dialogue
occurred (or something like it haha):

SO - "TRANSFER CALLS."
SC - "I just want to know. It's all so up in the air!"
SO - "Its all just like one big question mark."

That got us laughing so we proceeded to draw a large transfers = ?????
and taped it to the wall to remind us that we have no control over it.
I can't say that it really helped, but. It'll all be over soon. 😳

I'm so grateful that not everything in life is a big question mark. It
has really hit me lately that how important and valuable that
scriptures are. As I have studied with questions in mind, I've found
answers. As I've studied Christ and his attributes, I've come closer
to him. David M. McConkie said "Studying the scriptures trains us to
hear the Lords voice."

One night this week after it had been a long and seemingly
unsuccessful day, and I was feeling a little down and alone. I had
said my prayer and had a few minutes before turning the lights out. I
decided to open the scriptures and it just turned it all around. All I
have to say is Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers, just not
always in the way we expect. What I read helped answer a question that
I HAD and helped confort me. I felt that Heavenly Father wanted that I
felt that comfort, and had led me to remember that specific chapter
and that time.

Life seems to be a big questions mark sometimes. But as we turn to the
scriptures, we are more in tune with the spirit, allowing us to hear
and discern the lords voice and will for us in our lives. The pathway
gets a little clearer and the burdens a little lighter. I know that
this is true.
I'm eternally grateful for the scriptures, especially the Book of
Mormon. It's a real and powerful witness of Jesus Christ.

I hope it's a good week for y'all! love you all so very much! Let you
know next week if I'm still here or where in the world....!? Haha
XOXO
Sorella Carver

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?