I knew you were going to be so surprised by my call! haha I just needed to figure it all out and President said we were allowed. So it will still work best for us if we do it the 26th but I can do it at 3:00 if that is okay. We have a meal appointment at 5:00 so we just wanted to be done in time to get there. {She called home on Saturday to set it up with us. We were so surprised to hear her voice! She asked, "Are you crying mom?" Surprisingly, I didn't cry when I heard her voice. I think she was disappointed that I wasn't crying. ha ha I'll probably cry when I see her though. :)}
This week has been busy!
So Tuesday was just....a sad day. I had to say goodbye to everyone and I think my heart broke just a little. I love Palermo so much and the people there have made such an influence in my mission.
We started off by doing DDM and I was asked to give a little section on the topic of love. Afterwards, Anz Nickle, the district leader, talked more about love and we sang As Sisters in Zion, and then at the end they told me that they chose the topic of love because they love me so much and because they can tell that I love everyone so much. And of course it started the tears! haha and then they threw me a birthday party, with a funfetti cake (my favorite) and we did gift exchange. And then that night after English Course they ordered a pizza and we all ate together and then surprised me again with notes from everyone. We played a few games together and took pictures. Man I love those missionaries. They are my best friends in the world and I hope that I will get to see them again.
One last gelato with Sorella Nef.
Wednesday morning we headed to the airport. Again another sad goodbye. But It was kinda nice to have some time alone to write in my journal and think :)
I got to the mission office and met my new companion, Sorella O'Connor. Okay. we.are.twins. It is kinda freaky how alike we are! We look the same, we have the same interests, and we have the same perspectives. It is so fun! I am hoping and praying that she doesn't get transferred in a few weeks!
I also hit the jackpot and found 3 packages and lots of letters in the office! Wooo! I am still loved! I haven't been forgotten! Thank you Mom, Aunt Amber, Aunt Annie, and Aunt Cherai! I haven't opened them yet, but I am sure they are great!
So Rome is beautiful during Christmas! It is definitely a lot colder here than in Palermo, so luckily I bought that coat when I did! It is also really weird to be in a city that is already established with missionary work. I have been used to opening up cities and now I came in with investigators, and an area book, and an apartment with everything! It is kinda nice! haha
I have so much that I want to tell you guys, but I don't know what to tell and what to save for skype! haha
The members here seem great. Sorella O'Connor has lots of meal appointments set up and they all seem great. Yesterday before church I was a little bit stressed out. I was worried that the members weren't going to like me, or that I was just another sister. I was kinda missing Palermo and the members that I knew, so I was kinda having a little pity party. And then for the closing prayer in sacrament meeting a lady got up and said the most beautiful prayer for missionaries. She prayed that we would all have a good Christmas and that we would all feel welcomed. And without even knowing it, she answered my prayer. I know it seems like a little thing, but it was a tender mercy from the Lord letting me know that he understands how I feel :)
Yesterday after church we went and did Christmas caroling at the Spanish Steps. No biggie. :O
And It was such a good finding experience!
Rome is great! I am grateful to be here in this beautiful city for this Christmas season. I am excited to make it my new temporary home. I am excited to be knocking doors next to the temple and preparing these people to enter and make sacred covenants. This morning I read an article in the conference Liahona of 2011 by President Monson, he said...
"Now, my brothers and sisters, may I mention one more temple before I close. In the not-too-distant future as new temples take shape around the world, one will rise in a city which came into being over 2,500 years ago. I speak of the temple which is now being built in Rome, Italy.
Every temple is a house of God, filling the same functions and with identical blessings and ordinances. The Rome Italy Temple, uniquely, is being built in one of the most historic locations in the world, a city where the ancient Apostles Peter and Paul preached the gospel of Christ and where each was martyred.
Last October, as we gathered on a lovely pastoral site in the northeast corner of Rome, it was my opportunity to offer a prayer of dedication as we prepared to break the ground. I felt impressed to call upon Italian senator Lucio Malan and Rome’s vice-mayor Giuseppe Ciardi to be among the first to turn a shovelful of earth. Each had been a part of the decision to allow us to build a temple in their city.
The day was overcast but warm, and although rain threatened, not more than a drop or two fell. As the magnificent choir sang in Italian the beautiful strains of “The Spirit of God,” one felt as though heaven and earth were joined in a glorious hymn of praise and gratitude to Almighty God. Tears could not be restrained.
In a coming day, the faithful in this, the Eternal City, will receive ordinances eternal in nature in a holy house of God.
I express my undying gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the temple now being built in Rome and for all of our temples, wherever they are. Each one stands as a beacon to the world, an expression of our testimony that God, our Eternal Father, lives, that He desires to bless us and, indeed, to bless His sons and daughters of all generations. Each of our temples is an expression of our testimony that life beyond the grave is as real and as certain as is our life here on earth. I so testify."
This city has many people ready for the gospel! They are just waiting for us to find them! I am excited to get to work with Sorella O'Connor and see what miracles come our way.
Buon Natale! Ci Vediamo fra un po! {Merry Christmas! (The 2nd part doesn't come out well on Google Translate, but) I think it means See you soon!}
Sorella Wiltbank
P.S so on my blog, my about me....can you change the "amore" part. haha that is the inappropriate way to say that! Change it to "vi voglio bene" Thanks :)
Christmas in Palermo:
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