Mom, Lindsey, Dad!
Sounds like everyone surived and I am so glad! Mom I can't wait to hear more about your trip In a year, it sounds like it was quite the adventure, and I am sure you took plenty of pictures. Lindsey, you do not sound like you have changed much at all since I left, your writing totally brings out your whole personality. If you need to get rid of things I understand, and it's better now when there is nothing I can do about it.
As for transfers, we were with two of our contacts, Piera and Valentina, two 16 year old girls who are ready and wanting to get baptized but have to wait to turn 18, we were all together when the phone rang and president asked to talk to me. We were all scared because the only reason he calls is to inform missionaries of transfers... so he asked me how I was doing and then the line dropped. having no idea what happened we waited till the next down and discovered that he felt I need to stay here for one more and that I would be a co senior companion with Sorella Wendorf. I am so excited and we were all so happy. Right now our work has really picked up and there are so many miracles.
This week has already been one of the highlights of my mission easily. There is a Lady named Dana who is Hebrew, from Israel, and through a member there not smoking or drinking she became curious, he said nothing as he is not aloud, but she discovered the Book of Mormon. Long story short, she came here and this week we taught her every single part of the gospel, all the lessons in English, and the spirit and everything was incredible. She is ready to be baptized, and wanting to be baptised, and in time she will be. She is an excpert on the Old Testament as that is what she grew up on, and it was so incredible as we shared parts of the story of the restauration and plan of salvation she would open up to verses in the bible and say, "oh my goodness, that makes so much more sense!" She descibed it as having a messy room and that everytime we talked she was able to put things in their place. We all learned and profited a lot from it. She asked lots of really good questions, and we either had the answers or had the opportunity to go home and study, learn, and share with her. She also was excited as words in the Book of Mormon have meaning in Hebrew, such as Zarahemla means seed of compassion, and she said that there is no way Jospeh Smith ever could have known that.
Anyways, it is so neat having the opportunity to share with other these treasures, and our testimonies, and literally getting to watch their faces light up. I love the history and the story of Joseph Smith as it picks up all the little scattered pieces of the Gospel. I love Bari and am trying not to eat too much of the Focaccia, but its not easy :)
Sorry we don't have a lot of time today, but there is always next week. P.s. there was another baptism last Sunday and there is another one coming up this week. Our members are all way excited as they said they have not seen a period with so much work and so many new members for years. I love it, I love Bari, and I love you all. Take care!
Jonny I am so proud to be your sister, keep it up, and Peter, I can not even to begin to express how happy I am for you, I absolutely adore Kristin. Anyways hope everyone has a great weekend! Shalom!
Love
Sorella Robb
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
transfers?
Hey girly! So mom did tell me about you babysitting, but I had no idea about to the whole seminary thing, that is so neat! I am pretty much obsessed with the Book of Mormon. I really am kind of embarrassed that I was so bad about reading my scriptures before on a regular basis, but I am greatful for all that I have learned and for how cool all of the prophets are. And that fact that you have an office that is pretty big time! Where is it that you are teaching? Are you in Salt Lake or what? This last week we went did scambi with the sisters from taranto and Sorella Williams is from East Mill Creek stake and lives right up behind skyline, isn't that cool?
As for the missionary life it is good, this week we had one of the hottest, most humid days that I have ever faced and it was followed up by a beautiful breezey autumn day. We also had our interviews with President Taranto, and he asked me "how are you doing Sorella Robb? You have now been here in Bari for a good long while, six months, how are you feeling?" I told him how are work is going really really well and Sorella Wendorf is wonderful and that where ever the Lord wants me I am pleased to be. Apparently he told my companion though that we should treat this week as though it is our last because there is a good chance I will get transfered, if not this week for sure the Prossimo. So who knows, I am greatly for such an incredible president who works so closely with the spirit, he seemed a little overwhelmed as well and said that he has a lot of praying to do, but there is a chance that next week when I write I will be somewhere down in Catania.
Our work just keeps getting better and better. We finally met the wife of Antonio, and it turns out that a good handful of years ago she came to church for four months or something and knows some of the members. We took the book of mormon stories to their son Francesco, and he was so excited! With our finding we have also had some neat experiences as we have been following our mission president's council to use power approahes. Basically we walk up to people, start bearing testimony and then ask them a question of the soul and leave a commitment. With one young couple we left them with a book of mormon, with another man we met in the park we discovered that earlier that day he had talked with the Anziani (Elders) downtown but did not give them much of a chance, but recognized that it was no coincidence that we later ran in to them. Anyways we will see how things go, but it really is incredible the power of a good sincere testimony, and to be reminded constantly of the miracles that are taking place.
Speaking of miracles, we also had our stake conference this week
with one of the members of the Europe Area Presidency, President Teixeiia ( he is the one from Portugal I think). Anyhow for the first time in the history of the church of all the members of the area presidency are from this area, and not one of them is from the states. It was also neat because he promised the stake that by the time the temple in Rome is dedicated he will be speaking Italian, fluently. He then closed his talk with his testimony in Italian and had a very spanish accent but it was sincere and cute. During his talk he shared lots of stories, but there was one that made me reflect a bit. It was about someone who lost lots of things, and then the only thing he had left he gave away to someone who was in need. At the end of the story this item that he gave away saved someones life, but was also returned to him. He then spoke of how the things that we give away are the things we recieve in return. I then thought of our missionary work and how true it is. If we share a smile, sometimes we recieve a smile, but when we share our there is a greater chance of the people gaining one.
So moral of the story is it is a lot better to share things while we have them then to try and store them and have them taken away. Sorry if it does not make sense, but it made a lot more sense in my head.
I love you Linds, when mom gets back you can just share this email with her?
Thanks for your example and for taking care of me and sending my email, it is always a highlight durning the week. Love you lots, tell Chip Cheney hello for me! Oh yeah, ps Sorella Williams from Salt Lake plays violin and we played a duet out of the Hymn book together for zone conference and I thought of you. Have fun filling in mom shoes and cooking. Love you lots.
Sorella Robb
As for the missionary life it is good, this week we had one of the hottest, most humid days that I have ever faced and it was followed up by a beautiful breezey autumn day. We also had our interviews with President Taranto, and he asked me "how are you doing Sorella Robb? You have now been here in Bari for a good long while, six months, how are you feeling?" I told him how are work is going really really well and Sorella Wendorf is wonderful and that where ever the Lord wants me I am pleased to be. Apparently he told my companion though that we should treat this week as though it is our last because there is a good chance I will get transfered, if not this week for sure the Prossimo. So who knows, I am greatly for such an incredible president who works so closely with the spirit, he seemed a little overwhelmed as well and said that he has a lot of praying to do, but there is a chance that next week when I write I will be somewhere down in Catania.
Our work just keeps getting better and better. We finally met the wife of Antonio, and it turns out that a good handful of years ago she came to church for four months or something and knows some of the members. We took the book of mormon stories to their son Francesco, and he was so excited! With our finding we have also had some neat experiences as we have been following our mission president's council to use power approahes. Basically we walk up to people, start bearing testimony and then ask them a question of the soul and leave a commitment. With one young couple we left them with a book of mormon, with another man we met in the park we discovered that earlier that day he had talked with the Anziani (Elders) downtown but did not give them much of a chance, but recognized that it was no coincidence that we later ran in to them. Anyways we will see how things go, but it really is incredible the power of a good sincere testimony, and to be reminded constantly of the miracles that are taking place.
Speaking of miracles, we also had our stake conference this week
with one of the members of the Europe Area Presidency, President Teixeiia ( he is the one from Portugal I think). Anyhow for the first time in the history of the church of all the members of the area presidency are from this area, and not one of them is from the states. It was also neat because he promised the stake that by the time the temple in Rome is dedicated he will be speaking Italian, fluently. He then closed his talk with his testimony in Italian and had a very spanish accent but it was sincere and cute. During his talk he shared lots of stories, but there was one that made me reflect a bit. It was about someone who lost lots of things, and then the only thing he had left he gave away to someone who was in need. At the end of the story this item that he gave away saved someones life, but was also returned to him. He then spoke of how the things that we give away are the things we recieve in return. I then thought of our missionary work and how true it is. If we share a smile, sometimes we recieve a smile, but when we share our there is a greater chance of the people gaining one.
So moral of the story is it is a lot better to share things while we have them then to try and store them and have them taken away. Sorry if it does not make sense, but it made a lot more sense in my head.
I love you Linds, when mom gets back you can just share this email with her?
Thanks for your example and for taking care of me and sending my email, it is always a highlight durning the week. Love you lots, tell Chip Cheney hello for me! Oh yeah, ps Sorella Williams from Salt Lake plays violin and we played a duet out of the Hymn book together for zone conference and I thought of you. Have fun filling in mom shoes and cooking. Love you lots.
Sorella Robb
Settembre
Ciao i miei bei cari!
How are you all, and life in September? Mom I too am really quite suprised that you did not tell me that you and dad would be taking this adventure, but I hope you have a wonderful time and are able to enjoy it. I am sitting here trying to think how already another week has passed, its really quite frightening to be perfectly honest. I know I am no where close to coming home, but I really can't imagine getting rid of my name tag that gives me the excuse to talk to anyone at anytime about the gospel. I would not trade this vip card for anything else.
This last week we had a fun little andventure with our apartment, that helped us to better appreciate our ancestors. Thursday we woke up with no electricity, and thought huh... thats odd. We then talked with some of our neighbors, learned a whole vocabulary, but found out nothing other than the fact that there was a short circuit in our appartment. The really good news was that all of our members, and i mean all of the members from our stake in southern Italy were at the temple in Switzerland. We were so thrilled for them, they were all so excited seeing as they are only able to take the 15 hour bus ride once a year. So anyways this meant that all of our help was out of town for the week. It was quite the experience. We were very creative with the food that was going bad in our fridge, we did our nightly with a candle, and became very greatful very quickly for all the blessings we have in our life. Sunday night we were dropped off by a member and discoved that the short was caused by the one and only thing in the house we forgot to unplug, our water heater. So anyways, the power is back, but the cold showers are here to stay atleast for a couple more days. How blessed we are though that we are still enjoying this nice hot summer weather and in the middle of winter. It is so very amazing to me the many miracles that take place in our lives everyday, and the many blessings we have that we do not even think about. I am also greatful for a Heavenly Father who knows us so well that he will compell us to be humble when we fall short in thanking Him, so that we are able to see all these many blessings that surround us. I have never in my life been so greatful for being so hot and sweaty in the morning after running as I have been this last week with our nice ice cold showers. Also, I knew that the members here have been an amazing strength for our work, but trying to work without them this week, and then having them back on Sunday we were practically in tears as we witnessed miracles and amazing service. Antonio and his son Francesco came to church on Sunday again. Francesco loves singing the hymns in sacrament meeting, and Leo the only 8 year old in the ward is in tears when he thinks about having to be separated from Francesco. It was so cute, when we were talking with Leo's mom about his baptism, she said that Leo is wanting to get baptised with Francesco. Church was amazing! I love our members, and Antonio and Francesco. It is especially amazing, because now regardless of who the missionaries are they are now also taken care of and have friendships within the ward.
Francesco is also making a lot of progress. Her daughter is getting married this week, so we have just made a couple of stops by her store, but it is amazing how her testimony has already increased so much just from a little study. Where before she would always send us away with two or three questions to research this last time we went she said "you know it is really interesting, eversince I have started reading I have only found myself with answers rather than questions." It is so true though. I am so greatful for the amazing guide to our life that we have thanks to the scriptures, we just have to remember to open them up and read them if we really want to benefit from them.
Well, what else can I say... I am so greatful for the opportunity that we all have to be missionaries in bringing more light and joy into the lives of others! I love the scriptures, I am learning to love cold water, and I am so greatful for my family!!!
Jonny, I am so proud of you, I always knew you would be a great student. Joe patience is such a fun attribute to work on developing, have Lindsey show you the passage in PMG, it will be a good thing to work on for you mission. Critter, Emma, Sam, your all my favorites!
Have a great week! Happy Cruise!
Sorella Robb
Reply
Reply to all
Forward
How are you all, and life in September? Mom I too am really quite suprised that you did not tell me that you and dad would be taking this adventure, but I hope you have a wonderful time and are able to enjoy it. I am sitting here trying to think how already another week has passed, its really quite frightening to be perfectly honest. I know I am no where close to coming home, but I really can't imagine getting rid of my name tag that gives me the excuse to talk to anyone at anytime about the gospel. I would not trade this vip card for anything else.
This last week we had a fun little andventure with our apartment, that helped us to better appreciate our ancestors. Thursday we woke up with no electricity, and thought huh... thats odd. We then talked with some of our neighbors, learned a whole vocabulary, but found out nothing other than the fact that there was a short circuit in our appartment. The really good news was that all of our members, and i mean all of the members from our stake in southern Italy were at the temple in Switzerland. We were so thrilled for them, they were all so excited seeing as they are only able to take the 15 hour bus ride once a year. So anyways this meant that all of our help was out of town for the week. It was quite the experience. We were very creative with the food that was going bad in our fridge, we did our nightly with a candle, and became very greatful very quickly for all the blessings we have in our life. Sunday night we were dropped off by a member and discoved that the short was caused by the one and only thing in the house we forgot to unplug, our water heater. So anyways, the power is back, but the cold showers are here to stay atleast for a couple more days. How blessed we are though that we are still enjoying this nice hot summer weather and in the middle of winter. It is so very amazing to me the many miracles that take place in our lives everyday, and the many blessings we have that we do not even think about. I am also greatful for a Heavenly Father who knows us so well that he will compell us to be humble when we fall short in thanking Him, so that we are able to see all these many blessings that surround us. I have never in my life been so greatful for being so hot and sweaty in the morning after running as I have been this last week with our nice ice cold showers. Also, I knew that the members here have been an amazing strength for our work, but trying to work without them this week, and then having them back on Sunday we were practically in tears as we witnessed miracles and amazing service. Antonio and his son Francesco came to church on Sunday again. Francesco loves singing the hymns in sacrament meeting, and Leo the only 8 year old in the ward is in tears when he thinks about having to be separated from Francesco. It was so cute, when we were talking with Leo's mom about his baptism, she said that Leo is wanting to get baptised with Francesco. Church was amazing! I love our members, and Antonio and Francesco. It is especially amazing, because now regardless of who the missionaries are they are now also taken care of and have friendships within the ward.
Francesco is also making a lot of progress. Her daughter is getting married this week, so we have just made a couple of stops by her store, but it is amazing how her testimony has already increased so much just from a little study. Where before she would always send us away with two or three questions to research this last time we went she said "you know it is really interesting, eversince I have started reading I have only found myself with answers rather than questions." It is so true though. I am so greatful for the amazing guide to our life that we have thanks to the scriptures, we just have to remember to open them up and read them if we really want to benefit from them.
Well, what else can I say... I am so greatful for the opportunity that we all have to be missionaries in bringing more light and joy into the lives of others! I love the scriptures, I am learning to love cold water, and I am so greatful for my family!!!
Jonny, I am so proud of you, I always knew you would be a great student. Joe patience is such a fun attribute to work on developing, have Lindsey show you the passage in PMG, it will be a good thing to work on for you mission. Critter, Emma, Sam, your all my favorites!
Have a great week! Happy Cruise!
Sorella Robb
Reply
Reply to all
Forward
Che Umidita!
Buona Sera Tutti!
The weather these days seems to bring with it lots of himidity and leaves me hanging with two curly strands of hair and a really shiney face in photos, but people are returning from vacation and seem to be happier, which means our life is going great! This Friday we finally managed to pull off the American breakfast (for dinner) that we have been talking about doing for a long time, and it was a huge success. I never would have guessed that pancakes were so special, but they are, and Banana bread is an even greater treasure for them. It was so perfect though because we had a couple of families come who we have been talking to for a while, and they were able to come and visit with our members and everyone had a good time. The most exciting part was that Antonio and his 8 year old son Francesco came to church the next day and were warmly welcomed by Leo (who just turned 8) and many others. It was definetly a christmas in agosto!
Other news, yellow mellon season is ending, but grape season is just getting started and they are so good! Its crazy because all of those stories and parables in the Bible about fig trees, olive, and vineyards actually have a great signifance here. There is a rule here in Italy that anything hanging over the side walk or on public land is free for the public, so sometimes we even get to take a fresh fig right from the tree on the way to our appointments, and we'll just say that they are delicious.
The biggest highlight however from this week would be the lesson we had with Francesca. She is our investigater who pretty much says everything how it is, is very blunt, but very real and sweet at the same time. Anways she met us in church and was just going off about how insanely crazy her life is, unpredictable and how its prettymuch madness. We then talked with her for a second, answered a few questions and then we taught her about the restauration. We told her the story of Joseph Smith and bore testimony and then she just sat there for a second, and then said. "oh my goodness, i ca not think of the word, but what is it that you all have? I just feel so good, I could close my eyes and sleep, I just don't want to leave, I don't want this to go away!" It was so incredible the feeling in that room, and then we told her that she can feel that way all the time, that that is the spirit!
It was pretty incredible and she was excited to make the commitment to invest a little more time in the scriptures.
Anyways, it is always way exciting when others confirm for you the things you already know are true are true for them as well. It is such a blessing have this time to share my testimony, I just feel bad it has taken me so long to realize all the treasures I have been hording all this time.
Emma I would love to here from you sometime babe. Dad, keep up the good work, I received a letter from Bro. Giles and it sounds like you all have a lot of good challenges on your plate. Joe be careful that your muscles do not get too big, and Critter, don't forget to do your homework ;) Jonny you know how I feel about you, best of luck and be good. I love you all! Vi voglio una montagna di bene!
Sorella Robb
Ps. I still need omi and papas address if anyone has it. Thanks!
The weather these days seems to bring with it lots of himidity and leaves me hanging with two curly strands of hair and a really shiney face in photos, but people are returning from vacation and seem to be happier, which means our life is going great! This Friday we finally managed to pull off the American breakfast (for dinner) that we have been talking about doing for a long time, and it was a huge success. I never would have guessed that pancakes were so special, but they are, and Banana bread is an even greater treasure for them. It was so perfect though because we had a couple of families come who we have been talking to for a while, and they were able to come and visit with our members and everyone had a good time. The most exciting part was that Antonio and his 8 year old son Francesco came to church the next day and were warmly welcomed by Leo (who just turned 8) and many others. It was definetly a christmas in agosto!
Other news, yellow mellon season is ending, but grape season is just getting started and they are so good! Its crazy because all of those stories and parables in the Bible about fig trees, olive, and vineyards actually have a great signifance here. There is a rule here in Italy that anything hanging over the side walk or on public land is free for the public, so sometimes we even get to take a fresh fig right from the tree on the way to our appointments, and we'll just say that they are delicious.
The biggest highlight however from this week would be the lesson we had with Francesca. She is our investigater who pretty much says everything how it is, is very blunt, but very real and sweet at the same time. Anways she met us in church and was just going off about how insanely crazy her life is, unpredictable and how its prettymuch madness. We then talked with her for a second, answered a few questions and then we taught her about the restauration. We told her the story of Joseph Smith and bore testimony and then she just sat there for a second, and then said. "oh my goodness, i ca not think of the word, but what is it that you all have? I just feel so good, I could close my eyes and sleep, I just don't want to leave, I don't want this to go away!" It was so incredible the feeling in that room, and then we told her that she can feel that way all the time, that that is the spirit!
It was pretty incredible and she was excited to make the commitment to invest a little more time in the scriptures.
Anyways, it is always way exciting when others confirm for you the things you already know are true are true for them as well. It is such a blessing have this time to share my testimony, I just feel bad it has taken me so long to realize all the treasures I have been hording all this time.
Emma I would love to here from you sometime babe. Dad, keep up the good work, I received a letter from Bro. Giles and it sounds like you all have a lot of good challenges on your plate. Joe be careful that your muscles do not get too big, and Critter, don't forget to do your homework ;) Jonny you know how I feel about you, best of luck and be good. I love you all! Vi voglio una montagna di bene!
Sorella Robb
Ps. I still need omi and papas address if anyone has it. Thanks!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
