Ciao Tutti,
Wow, so much has happened since the last email... which was two weeks ago, I believe. Last week we came here to this internet place to do email and the stupid myldsmail was being lame and wouldn't even let us read our emails. Luckily today it's up and working! Oh, and I just wanted to say that I realize my english skills have gone own since I've been out. So just for all you english freaks (sorry couldn't think of another word) out there I realize that I switch up their/there and a bunch of other things too so, as mom would say...pardon!
Last week, our district got permission to go to Siena for p-day. We rode the train for and hour and a half through the beautiful countryside and got to Siena. What a beautiful city it is. We walked around and saw the famous piazza where they have the horse races in the summer. We got some pizza and then headed back. It was lots of fun.
We've had a great last week of the transfer here in Prato. We were nervous all week thinking about transfers and what was going to happen. On monday we got transfer calls as usual from President Rhien during our district meeting. Someone always does a training for this meeting and this time it was me! So I had also been worrying about that during the week too! During the middle of the training President called and told us the news. He talked to Sorella Roper and told her that she is being transferred to Florence 1! It was a pretty big surprise, we all thought she was going to the island because she hasn't been out there. And she never will because she's only got 3 transfers left! Anyways, we are excited because that means we'll get to see each other at Zone Conferences and Interviews etc. As for me, I'm staying here in Prato and I'm getting a new companion, Sorella Lededer from Austria! It's so crazy because I knew her at the MTC. She was in the group of missionaries that left just before me! So she's only one transfer ahead of me in the
mission! President told me that we would be a young companionship but that we "are both exceptional missionaries" and will be able to do it. Oh man. I've heard that she's really good at the language though and that she studied it before the mission. I'm sad to have sorella Roper leave...it's been so fun to serve with her but I'm excited to serve with sorella lededer too. Change is good even though it's hard and overwhelming! I'll have more responsibility since I know the city and the investigators. It's time to step up and it's going to take a lot of faith and prayers! But I know the Lord will help me out in this.
The work is going well enough. We see lots of miracles everyday and lots of tender mercies from the Lord. One day we have all of our appointments fall through and the next day we have amazing things happen. Like yesterday.....we had a little extra time before an appointment and so we decided to do a bit of door to door. We went to this palazzo that we weren't sure if we had already knocked or not. But we did it anyway and it turns out that it was this same lady that we had knocked before..who had let us in and who we had given a book of mormon to. We were so suprised to see her and she was so nice and let us right in. We didn't have much time but just visited. She said she felt bad because she hadn't really read any of the book of mormon that we had left. Her husband and daughter came home and we all just talked. It was really amazing. We talked about the apostasy and how god again established is church in these latter days through Joseph Smith. They are pretty stuck in their ways but I think Heavenly Father is preparing them for the message of the restoration. I'm excited to keep meeting with them. They are very open and said we could come back. Really a neat experience.
We continue to meet with all the regulars. I don't even know if, in all these emails anyone has been able to keep track of them, sorry. If you have questions just ask. Just know that things are going well. I'm scared for the change but it will be good.
I'm excited for general conference this weekend and hope that you all enjoy it. It's such a blessing to have a living prophet on the earth today. I know this church is true and I love preaching the gospel!
Love you all,
Sorella Boynton
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
A Quick Note
Hi!
This is Sorella Roper and Sorella Boynton. We went to Siena!! YEAH! But now the computers arent working and they are being slow so we just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know we are doing okay and having a great week.
We will try to write more later if not next week for sure!
Lots of love,
Le Sorelle
This is Sorella Roper and Sorella Boynton. We went to Siena!! YEAH! But now the computers arent working and they are being slow so we just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know we are doing okay and having a great week.
We will try to write more later if not next week for sure!
Lots of love,
Le Sorelle
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
14 March 2007
Buongiorno tutti,
I think Spring has arrived here in Italy, or at least in Prato. It's been really warm out lately and were enjoying the good weather.
Today for p-day we went out to Pistoia and went to the Zoo as a district. Saw some monkeys, elephants, giraffes, etc. It was pretty fun. So now we have time to hurry and email and do our shopping for the week.
This past week flew by. Last Thursday we had a lot to do. Lots of appointments and then the regularly scheduled things for Thursday like correlation meeting and english class at the church.
Friday we also had to finish our weekly planning quickly and got in a visit before we headed down to ROME! Yep, we got to go to Rome last weekend. Sorella Roper had to get her permesso (permit of stay) renewed or something and then there was also Zone conference down there because we had a visiting authority. So Friday we left Prato around 3pm and took a bus to florence (because there was a train strike) and finally got down to Rome at about 7pm. We got to spend the night at the mission home. Saturday morning we woke up and went and got Sorella Ropers permesso and then all met at the church in Rome for the Zone Conference. It was crazy because it was all
the missionaries of the mission, except the missionaries that are on the island of sardegna. It was fun to visit with all the missionaries and to see the ones that I knew in the MTC etc.
The zone conference was absolutely amazing. President and Sister Rhien's talks were so uplifting and inspired. President Rhien talked about the importance of the spririt and why, in the church, we have these big meetings. He said it was to be "taught from on high" like it says in D&C 43. He said these types of meetings are nice but if we don't learn from the spirit and write down impressions, it's been nothing but a nice meeting. Also, these impressions from the spirit and these types of spiritual experiences are necessary for a lasting conversion in the church. Anyways, I learned a lot at the conference and am working hard to follow the council. I'm so thankful for the Rhiens and for their dedication and hard work. They really are amazing people with so much trust in us as missionaries. It's strange sometimes to look at them up there on the stand and think that Mom and Dad are up in Milano doing the same thing!
After zone conference we headed back on up here to Prato, home sweet home! A lot less busy than Rome that's for sure, and also re-energized and excited about the work.
On Monday we had another visit with our Buddhist investigator, Adoriana. She read the intro to the Book of Mormon. We just further explained the importance of reading it and invited her to read and pray. She's really quiet and not too open but we have all the hope in the world for her, she's so cool and ready to hear the gospel. We continue to meet with Titi. We're in a bind with her because she's not able to come to church but she's one of our only investigators whose keeping reading commitments. You can tell that she just needs friends right now but I really don't know where it's going to end up with her.
I don't know if I've ever told you about Petra and her family. They are from Nigeria but have lived in Italy for a long time. Petra is 11 years old and we've been working with her to get her baptized. Her dad is a member but the mom isn't. They've told us for a while that they'll just tell us when they are read for baptism but we are working on setting a specific date to work towards. Speriamo bene! They're great people.
Okay, I think that's all for this week. Gotta run and get the shopping done. All is well here and as always, I love being a missionary. I'm reminded everyday how lucky I am to have the gospel in my life. I'm also reminded of my cool family and friends and what a charmed life I live! The church is true!
Thanks for everything, my prayers are with you and I love you all!
Love,
Sorella Boynton
I think Spring has arrived here in Italy, or at least in Prato. It's been really warm out lately and were enjoying the good weather.
Today for p-day we went out to Pistoia and went to the Zoo as a district. Saw some monkeys, elephants, giraffes, etc. It was pretty fun. So now we have time to hurry and email and do our shopping for the week.
This past week flew by. Last Thursday we had a lot to do. Lots of appointments and then the regularly scheduled things for Thursday like correlation meeting and english class at the church.
Friday we also had to finish our weekly planning quickly and got in a visit before we headed down to ROME! Yep, we got to go to Rome last weekend. Sorella Roper had to get her permesso (permit of stay) renewed or something and then there was also Zone conference down there because we had a visiting authority. So Friday we left Prato around 3pm and took a bus to florence (because there was a train strike) and finally got down to Rome at about 7pm. We got to spend the night at the mission home. Saturday morning we woke up and went and got Sorella Ropers permesso and then all met at the church in Rome for the Zone Conference. It was crazy because it was all
the missionaries of the mission, except the missionaries that are on the island of sardegna. It was fun to visit with all the missionaries and to see the ones that I knew in the MTC etc.
The zone conference was absolutely amazing. President and Sister Rhien's talks were so uplifting and inspired. President Rhien talked about the importance of the spririt and why, in the church, we have these big meetings. He said it was to be "taught from on high" like it says in D&C 43. He said these types of meetings are nice but if we don't learn from the spirit and write down impressions, it's been nothing but a nice meeting. Also, these impressions from the spirit and these types of spiritual experiences are necessary for a lasting conversion in the church. Anyways, I learned a lot at the conference and am working hard to follow the council. I'm so thankful for the Rhiens and for their dedication and hard work. They really are amazing people with so much trust in us as missionaries. It's strange sometimes to look at them up there on the stand and think that Mom and Dad are up in Milano doing the same thing!
After zone conference we headed back on up here to Prato, home sweet home! A lot less busy than Rome that's for sure, and also re-energized and excited about the work.
On Monday we had another visit with our Buddhist investigator, Adoriana. She read the intro to the Book of Mormon. We just further explained the importance of reading it and invited her to read and pray. She's really quiet and not too open but we have all the hope in the world for her, she's so cool and ready to hear the gospel. We continue to meet with Titi. We're in a bind with her because she's not able to come to church but she's one of our only investigators whose keeping reading commitments. You can tell that she just needs friends right now but I really don't know where it's going to end up with her.
I don't know if I've ever told you about Petra and her family. They are from Nigeria but have lived in Italy for a long time. Petra is 11 years old and we've been working with her to get her baptized. Her dad is a member but the mom isn't. They've told us for a while that they'll just tell us when they are read for baptism but we are working on setting a specific date to work towards. Speriamo bene! They're great people.
Okay, I think that's all for this week. Gotta run and get the shopping done. All is well here and as always, I love being a missionary. I'm reminded everyday how lucky I am to have the gospel in my life. I'm also reminded of my cool family and friends and what a charmed life I live! The church is true!
Thanks for everything, my prayers are with you and I love you all!
Love,
Sorella Boynton
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
7 March 2007
What a great week it has been. P-day was amazing last week, how could it not be when it's spent in Florence! Argueably one of the prettiest cities in the world!
We've been working hard trying to find people to teach. Heavenly Father is really blessing us. We've been able to talk to a lot of people this week and give out lots of Book of Mormons...a couple in Romanian and one also in Polish. There's lots of foreigners here and sometimes it seems like they are more open than the italians. But we also met an Italian women tracting who is buddhist but seems really open. We brought her a Book of Mormon and she said she'd read it. She also gave us a little book that explains the buddhist religion...all about karma and Nirvana, and there crazy beliefs. I guess it's only fair though that if she reads our book, we know a little about hers. So there's a lot of potential investigators, we'll see how it goes.
We've also been really working on getting our members involved. We had a couple really good lessons with the members and are encouraging them to pray for someone whom with they could share the Book of Mormon. It's hard to ask them because we feel like they are already doing so much. But sacrifce is needed for this work! It shows the Lord we are really willing to give up something to further the work! I love the members here, they are awesome. We have a goal of 2 baptisms before the end of the transfer. We'll see how it goes!
Life as a missionary is great. I received a little letter from cousin Katy the other day that just made my day (and I hope you get this email forwarded to you Katy! and hope that it's okay that I share this!). She said something that I really needed to hear. She said, "most days I don't feel like one of those awesome missionaries, but I'm still here and I'm learning new things all the time that strengthen my testimony and make me want to be a more commited member of the church." It's really easy on the mission to compare yourself to other missionaries. It's easy to get frustrated, especially as a new missionary because you can't speak the language well and you can't teach as well as you want. You have to rely a lot on your companion. Who doesn't want to be "one of those awesome" missionaries? But I've learned that there's no room to compare. If I'm doing MY best and working hard, there's no doubt that I'll become an awesome missionary in MY own way; that is by being humble and teachable and letting the Lord, sculpt (for lack of better work) me into someone he can use to share his gospel. I love being a missionary and am so grateful for this time I have to share the gospel 24/7. I know this is the true church without a doubt. Thanks for everything!
Hope all is going well for you!
Love ya,
Sorella Boynton
p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUBS (on the 11th right?)
Friends, I don't know if we can be friends anymore if you don't write! Slackers! hehe.
We've been working hard trying to find people to teach. Heavenly Father is really blessing us. We've been able to talk to a lot of people this week and give out lots of Book of Mormons...a couple in Romanian and one also in Polish. There's lots of foreigners here and sometimes it seems like they are more open than the italians. But we also met an Italian women tracting who is buddhist but seems really open. We brought her a Book of Mormon and she said she'd read it. She also gave us a little book that explains the buddhist religion...all about karma and Nirvana, and there crazy beliefs. I guess it's only fair though that if she reads our book, we know a little about hers. So there's a lot of potential investigators, we'll see how it goes.
We've also been really working on getting our members involved. We had a couple really good lessons with the members and are encouraging them to pray for someone whom with they could share the Book of Mormon. It's hard to ask them because we feel like they are already doing so much. But sacrifce is needed for this work! It shows the Lord we are really willing to give up something to further the work! I love the members here, they are awesome. We have a goal of 2 baptisms before the end of the transfer. We'll see how it goes!
Life as a missionary is great. I received a little letter from cousin Katy the other day that just made my day (and I hope you get this email forwarded to you Katy! and hope that it's okay that I share this!). She said something that I really needed to hear. She said, "most days I don't feel like one of those awesome missionaries, but I'm still here and I'm learning new things all the time that strengthen my testimony and make me want to be a more commited member of the church." It's really easy on the mission to compare yourself to other missionaries. It's easy to get frustrated, especially as a new missionary because you can't speak the language well and you can't teach as well as you want. You have to rely a lot on your companion. Who doesn't want to be "one of those awesome" missionaries? But I've learned that there's no room to compare. If I'm doing MY best and working hard, there's no doubt that I'll become an awesome missionary in MY own way; that is by being humble and teachable and letting the Lord, sculpt (for lack of better work) me into someone he can use to share his gospel. I love being a missionary and am so grateful for this time I have to share the gospel 24/7. I know this is the true church without a doubt. Thanks for everything!
Hope all is going well for you!
Love ya,
Sorella Boynton
p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUBS (on the 11th right?)
Friends, I don't know if we can be friends anymore if you don't write! Slackers! hehe.
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