Happy Summer eveyrone! I hope the end end of school brought some fun adventures for everyone. Here there is still school for another month so people are still stressed with classes and exams.
This week was very humbling in many ways, and there were some experiences I had that I am very greatful for, but would not like to experience again.
The first happened on an afternoon. We were outside talking with two store owners who are having a hard time with their buisness right now, and we were talking about where we can find true joy that does not waver. Next thing we new we watching two motorcycles collide. It was like in a movie except that it was real and right in front of us. The bikes went flying and so did the two men, neither of whom were wearing helmets. With tires spining and both of them lying on the grounds moaning there was not a whole lot we could do. It was really aweful! I wont go into any more detail, but I just could not understand why neither of them had helmets. Why when we know that a hemet could save our life and keep us from pain dont we wear them?
It really bothered me for a couple of days, but I realized that this is just like the gospel, and why I am out here. If you think about the helmet, it is not always them most convenient to find, or to put on. Sometimes it is not even the coolest thing to do, especially when we think we are just fine without it. I mean how many times have you worn a helmet and not fallen? However it is not like a helmet just magically appears in those time when another bike hits us unexpectatedly, or we miss a turn and hit a curb.
The gospel is an amazing protection that we have kind of like a helmets, sometimes we need little reminders to remember how lucky we are and to really understand just how fortunate we are. we have been equipped with a priecless knowlege that does not abandon us and can keep us safe and bring us joy as long as we remember to use it and really make it a part of our lives. We dont have need to fear things unexpected, because we understand the bigger picture, and the Gospel brings a joy that does not have to take a hit even if the market crashes or we take a spill. I mean how cool is that?! I dont know if that makes anysense at all, but it really made me realize the importance of what I am teaching.
The other major experience was a funeral yesterday for Luca Carnivale. He was a young man from here in Bari who returned home mid mission a couple months ago because he was sick with what ended up being cancer. It was an incredibley spiritual experience though, and there were so many people that some were even standing outside. Because the last few months of his life were spent as a missionary, they had all of us missionaries and everyone who had served a mission sing called to serve, it was incredible. They then had one of his friends who was in the MTC with him bear his testimony. He shared spoke about Luca's dilligence and hard work as a missionary, but then bore an amazing testimony of the Atonement and how the scriptures have brought him so much comfort. How lucky we are to know what we do, to understand the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and to know that we can live with out families forever!
Sorry, I really this email probably sounds a little on the heavy side, but I promise there are lots of wonderful thing happening here in Italy and the sun is shinning brighter than ever! I just hope that I can do my best to help others find the same joy that I have been blessed with!
Love you all,
Sorella Robb
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Email and Photos from Whit's Companion
Buon Giorno!
So I finally I hope the email works with these pictures... :) The captions are as follows: 740 is slla robb and I in San Giovanni Rotondo last week, 761 is the Swabian castle downtown in Bari, and 800 is me teaching Anziano shaw how to crochet (he did a few rows wonderfully by the way!) These capture what some of my life has been like for the last bit (bug my sisters to put all the pictures I sent at Christmas time up on facebook if you want to see more).
I am so grateful for my family and for the chance I had to talk to them this sunday for Mother's Day. I really am grateful for the belief I hold that I can live with them even after this life is over. Recently I've been studying and thinking a lot about this...how the idea of a family is really the perfect social unit, and that if we learn correctly as we are young that we can have this hope to return back to the eternal family of God. Even if you are an atheist, you can't argue that a mother's love is real and that every human being needs love as the 4th essential element of survival.
In sum, I am continually learning and loving my life here in Italy. I hope you feel that if I can help you in anyway, you know that I am willing to try my best to do so. Thanks for all the encouraging emails and letters!
Sorella Black
Last week's word: occhiolino [oh-key-oh-lee-no] wink
Ital word of the week: capatina
So I finally I hope the email works with these pictures... :) The captions are as follows: 740 is slla robb and I in San Giovanni Rotondo last week, 761 is the Swabian castle downtown in Bari, and 800 is me teaching Anziano shaw how to crochet (he did a few rows wonderfully by the way!) These capture what some of my life has been like for the last bit (bug my sisters to put all the pictures I sent at Christmas time up on facebook if you want to see more).
I am so grateful for my family and for the chance I had to talk to them this sunday for Mother's Day. I really am grateful for the belief I hold that I can live with them even after this life is over. Recently I've been studying and thinking a lot about this...how the idea of a family is really the perfect social unit, and that if we learn correctly as we are young that we can have this hope to return back to the eternal family of God. Even if you are an atheist, you can't argue that a mother's love is real and that every human being needs love as the 4th essential element of survival.
In sum, I am continually learning and loving my life here in Italy. I hope you feel that if I can help you in anyway, you know that I am willing to try my best to do so. Thanks for all the encouraging emails and letters!
Sorella Black
Last week's word: occhiolino [oh-key-oh-lee-no] wink
Ital word of the week: capatina
Summer Has Officially Arrived!
Cara Famiglia Mia-
It was so fun and so weird to talk to you all. Chris I can not believe how different you sound, Joe I hope you are not getting to cool for me, Emma you are just darling, and Sam I forgot how much I love your giggle. It sounds like everyone is keeping busy though and doing good things I am sorry there was not alot of time to hear everything, but you are always welcome to write me.
Bari has been quite the happening place. I mentioned how this weekened was a large festa here, but I did not realize that it meant it would be SO big. The whole beach walk was decked out with lights, vendors, and thousands of people. They definetly put our fireworks to shame with an airshow with jets that let out three colors of smoke and made designs overhead in the air. That night though after a long day of work we were so excited to go to bed when Bari decided to go crazy. Apparently the soccer team made it into devision A, but Horns started honking, fireworks were going off, and there were people were singing in the streets, and driving down the streets with the Bari flag hanging out their car windows and off of their scooters. It was really insane! The Italian's by no means lack spirit, if only we could help fill them with a little more of The Spirit, it would be AMAZING.
As for the missionary work this week, we have had a lot of lessons with members and investigaters together, and I have learned so much. It is neat to see how the members reach out, but also relate to them and are able to help them in areas where we can not. We also met a girl in the park who is 22, has the cutest little boy, and is wanting to explore religion, and find more direction in her life. However, I think one of the biggest mirracles we saw this week was with an innactive membor that we have been trying to visit for 6 weeks now, and it has fallen through everytime. Finally we were able to find a time to meet Tuesday. We called Monday to make sure that everything was still okay. So yesterday we walked to her house, and found her in tears. As it turns out her sister died just yesterday. We went in and sang a couple of hymns with her and just listened. But it was neat because she shared how it was a sign for her of Heavenly Father's love, how he has always been there we she needed him most. It was sad to see that she was hurt, but comforting to see her strength, testimony, and witness of Heavenly Father's love. I seriously just don't understand how it is that he has so many children and yet he always has time for us when we need Him, and loves us each individually. Its really pretty neat. I know that we are surrounded by His tender mercies everyday, and that miracles are not just a thing of the past. I love you all. Have a great week, don't forget to wear sunscreen. Oh I also forgot to tell you on the phone that there are many members here from the ward and bishopric that wanted me to Salute you for them (say hello). Much Love, Happy Last Days of school!
Sorella Robb
It was so fun and so weird to talk to you all. Chris I can not believe how different you sound, Joe I hope you are not getting to cool for me, Emma you are just darling, and Sam I forgot how much I love your giggle. It sounds like everyone is keeping busy though and doing good things I am sorry there was not alot of time to hear everything, but you are always welcome to write me.
Bari has been quite the happening place. I mentioned how this weekened was a large festa here, but I did not realize that it meant it would be SO big. The whole beach walk was decked out with lights, vendors, and thousands of people. They definetly put our fireworks to shame with an airshow with jets that let out three colors of smoke and made designs overhead in the air. That night though after a long day of work we were so excited to go to bed when Bari decided to go crazy. Apparently the soccer team made it into devision A, but Horns started honking, fireworks were going off, and there were people were singing in the streets, and driving down the streets with the Bari flag hanging out their car windows and off of their scooters. It was really insane! The Italian's by no means lack spirit, if only we could help fill them with a little more of The Spirit, it would be AMAZING.
As for the missionary work this week, we have had a lot of lessons with members and investigaters together, and I have learned so much. It is neat to see how the members reach out, but also relate to them and are able to help them in areas where we can not. We also met a girl in the park who is 22, has the cutest little boy, and is wanting to explore religion, and find more direction in her life. However, I think one of the biggest mirracles we saw this week was with an innactive membor that we have been trying to visit for 6 weeks now, and it has fallen through everytime. Finally we were able to find a time to meet Tuesday. We called Monday to make sure that everything was still okay. So yesterday we walked to her house, and found her in tears. As it turns out her sister died just yesterday. We went in and sang a couple of hymns with her and just listened. But it was neat because she shared how it was a sign for her of Heavenly Father's love, how he has always been there we she needed him most. It was sad to see that she was hurt, but comforting to see her strength, testimony, and witness of Heavenly Father's love. I seriously just don't understand how it is that he has so many children and yet he always has time for us when we need Him, and loves us each individually. Its really pretty neat. I know that we are surrounded by His tender mercies everyday, and that miracles are not just a thing of the past. I love you all. Have a great week, don't forget to wear sunscreen. Oh I also forgot to tell you on the phone that there are many members here from the ward and bishopric that wanted me to Salute you for them (say hello). Much Love, Happy Last Days of school!
Sorella Robb
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