I was having another girl chat with Mamma Waddoups, just because it was one of those weeks, and luckily it was zone conference and I was able to pull her aside. And after I get done, she says, "well did president tell you?" Tell me what? "Your brother got his mission call, do you want to know where he is going?" So president starts reading me the email, and he says Spain and I got excited and happy for him. And then he said October 28th. And my heart just dropped. And I just started weeping. The same day. 3 1/2 years. By one day. And Sorella Waddoups keeps saying "just wait just wait".
I would really love to try and figure out a way that we could maybe meet in the airport. So if I want to meet him in the airport, I would for sure have to miss the departing dinner? If there is any way that I could be in the airport when he gets there, but still not miss the dinner, that is what I choose.
I just am so excited for him. Sorella Arnold has been telling me about Spain and it sounds perfect for him!
I am going to give you guys some tips though....
Only bring 2 big suitcases. And use a backpack as a carry on. When transfers come around it is a really big pain to have to haul three suitcases around. Also Europe has everything you would need. Don't worry about bringing extra things like toothpaste or deodorant or anything! Because you can find it all! Just bring one of everything, save the space and weight for other things. The only thing I would say you should bring a lot of is Dayquil and Nyquil. (When you are sick, they are a missionary dream) and maybe some excedrin. Don't even worry about contact solution or anything. All of that stuff is even cheaper here anyway!
I am so excited to see how things work out! It is all in the Lord's hands, and it will all work out just fine.
As far as my week. Where to start! It has been really crazy because of zone conference.
Pictures taken from the mission blog at zone conference.
On Wednesday we went to Catania to do interviews with President Waddoups. The church there is under construction so we did it in the Anziani's apartment. Awkward. At one point they even left us alone. In the Anziani's apartment. (okay I know for all of you people living in normal world that doesn't sound very interesting, but for a sister missionary that is big news!) Then the next morning we woke up really early and went to Siracusa for the conference. It was really good. We talked about finding! I love finding! And I am excited to apply new techniques.
But of course Satan was working hard on me this week and....we missed the last train back to Messina. So we had to stay the night in Siracusa. And then we went home the next morning.
Friday afternoon we went and saw P___. And she is still doing really great! We are trying to help her quit smoking. She just has such a big desire to do what is right. I love going and teaching her.
Then Saturday we planned and taught another lesson.
Sunday was an area conference for all of Western Europe. It was a broadcast. 2 hours. In my second language. I may have dozed off while President Uchtdorf was speaking....oops.
About my hard week. I will spare everyone the details and just say that the Lord is teaching me a lot this week. So much! But as far as details that I should let you know about....
My packages didn't come :( I even called the office in Rome and they said that it never got there.
My camera. Yes my third camera....is broken. (I took a picture. Put it in the protective case. Put it in my bag. Then took it out at zone conference and the lens wouldn't come out) I will see what I can do. But I might just have to live off of my companion's pictures. I can't afford another camera!
I have a hater. But it's okay. You've got to have at least one of them in your life right? (no it's not the elders...they are actually on our side....long story)
I just mostly feel bad for poor Sorella Arnold. When you are with someone 24/7, if they have a bad week, you have a bad week. But she is being a trooper!
This week I have learned the power of the scriptures. I have been studying the New Testament along with Jesus the Christ. And if you think you are having a bad week, just study the last week of Christ. My love for the Savior has increased so much this week. It is something I have a hard time writing and describing exactly how. But simply. I know that Jesus is the Christ. And I know that he lives. I know that he has a plan. And I have faith in that.
My favorite scripture for the week is Lamentations 3. My favorite verses are 25-26
"The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good that a man should both HOPE and QUIETLY WAIT for the salvation of the Lord."
Sometimes when it feels like your world is crumbling. You just need to wait. I received a priesthood blessing this week that said "The Lord has blessings in store for you, he is just waiting for the right time to give them to you."
Bad weeks don't mean that God is angry with you, or that you aren't loved. Just that it's not your time for blessings. There is a time for the rain and there is a time for the sunshine. Without one or the other, a plant would never grow!
One of my favorite Italian sayings says...
"Chi la dura, la vince!" He who endures, wins.
And let's end on an uplifting thought!
"Each person has within himself or herself the power to increase the sum total of the world's happiness...by giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged. Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime." -Dale Carnegie (From the talk by Thomas S Monson in the April 2014 General Conference)
So the sfida (challenge) for the week is!!!
Do something nice to help increase the sum total of the world's happiness! Maybe it is a compliment. Or a smile to someone who is having a bad day (an ice cream would probably also help). Anything to help lighten someone's load! In the end your lightening the Lord's load too!
I love you guys with all my heart. Seriously, the longer I am away from home, the more i love it and miss it!
Sorella Wiltbank
And Satan strikes again! my card reader isn't working....so no pictures again.... SORRY!
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