25 September 2008

24 September 2008

Hey Family!

Sorry that last week's email was so short. We were in a hurry. I hope that today we can write letters; I feel bad for not having written ANY letters at all. We've been doing a lot of P-Day activites. And I've been taking a lot of pictures, of random things, but also of the scenery. Last week we went to Portofino, it was beautiful. I ate some cactus fruit, it was really good. It tasted a lot like pomegrant.

You all are so good at writing me and emailing me. I feel bad for not writing any letters at all :( I know everyone likes to receive snail mail, especially when it's from ITALY!!! ;) ;) Thanks Kevin for the tips on learning the language, that was what I was asking about. I actually have a cool experience about the language. I have'nt really been reading the Book of Mormon. It's funny because some things that I LIKE to do, I don't do them. Like, I've always liked writing in my journal, but for a long time I didn't write in my journal. But now I do almost every night. So, I hope that my weakness of not reading the Book of Mormon everyday, will turn into a strength. So sometimes I know I have to do something and I do it right then. So yesterday, getting back to my story, we were having personal study, in the afternoon because we had an appointment in the morning during our usual studies, and I wasn't really doing anything and then I saw my quad, I looked at it, and I picked it up and I started reading where I had left off, in 3rd Nephi. I read and I read. I think I read just a few scriptures. Then the last 10 mintues of companion study, Sorella Harris and I did some scenarios, where I was the missionary and she was someone on the metro. We did it twice, and it really helped me because I had been beating myself up for not being a good missionary. And then we had an appointment. But then after that we had English class. It was really good. And then after English class was even better. I talked with Pilar, a less active that we teach every week, in Italian. And I wasn't afraid to speak in Italian, like I usually am. I didn't always understand what she said, but it was still good. And then Sarà came, she is the daughter of our investigator, Silvana who lives in Sestri. And on Monday when we went to teach Silvana, which by the way, was a really great lesson, Sarà said that I am her favorite missionary. She says that she understands how it is to be somewhere where you can't understand anyone and you can't really speak to anyone. She moved to Germany with her boyfriend, long before I knew her. Anyways, so I talked to her and it was fantastic! She talked to me in English and I talked to here in Italian. (Oh yeah, she speaks English really well). I think that that is awesome. We're both speaking each other's language and we can understand each other pretty well. That just makes me smile :) Sarà also said that I am learning and improving more day by day. She is a great friend to me. She always helps me and translates for me if I look like I am confused. But she is awesome!!! I really like her and she's just amazing!!

Sorella Harris and I will be going shopping today for some clothes. I definitely need some winter clothes since I don't have any. But the weather has gotten much cooler and as the Italians say, "Fresca" which means fresh. Fa fresca - it's chilly.

Transfer calls were last night! The only change in our distrcit, is that Anziano Johnson is leaving and Anziano McKinnon is coming in.

How is missinoary work going in Davenport? Anziano Allen is sitting next to me and he says that he only talks to his family about missionary work. So I thought I would ask. Asking!

Somethings don't always appear to be what it really is.

I can't believe I've been here for a whole transfer!!! 6 whole weeks!!! At first, time was going by pretty slow, but time is starting to pick up and before you know it, it will be Christmas and I'll be calling home!!!

I'm really glad to be here. I've been learning a lot, learning to let go of myself, forget myself, and serving the Lord by serving others. I'm also working on finding my calling. What God called me to Italy for, to Genova for. And also, what my style of missionary work is. I'm really excited.

Well, I think I'm goint to write to President Dunaway now. I feel bad because last week I was rushed and I didn't do a very good job. He asked for more details. I have to remember why and what I'm here for!

Ciao!!! Vi voglio bene!!!

Until next week
This has been
Sorella DeVocht

17 September 2008

17 September 2008

Dear Family,
Thank you all for your emails and the words you shared with me. They really helped me.

On Monday, the sisters in Torino and us, did a scumbi, a companion exchange. For training and learning. So I went up to Torino, and Sorella Booth who was in the MTC for 3 weeks with me, came down to Genova for a 24-hour period. It was really good. I learned some new things and I was able to see how another sister missionary does missionary work and it was a great experience.

My P-day is on Wednesday.

Something crazy happened on Sunday: As Anziano Allen, our Zone Leader was giving a talk in church, I saw, literally saw, Kevin's face in his face. It was really weird but as I saw Kevin's face I realized that Anziano Allen is also my brother and he has great potential.

Got to go, sorry it's short, but THANKS FOR EVERYTHING AND I'LL TRY TO WRITE MORE NEXT WEEK AND I MIGHT GET TO WRITE SOME LETTERS TODAY. Sorry for not writing letters.

ciao, I love you all

Sorella DeVocht

10 September 2008

Dear Family,

I don't know the reason for all things, but I do know that God has reasons for all things and that usually in the moment we don't know why, but sometimes after we see. I love being in Genova, it is fantastic!!! But it is also hard. Hard in lots of different ways. Sometimes I wonder why the Lord sent me to Genova at this time. But, from this, I am able to turn to the Lord and ask for His help and do my best to be like Christ. That is something that I am realizing: That I need to be more like Christ. To think, say, and do as He would think, say, and do. I'm also learning more about autocontrollo, self-control (I had to throw in some Italian). Self-control is KEY for missionaries. I've been learning and I told this to President Dunaway at Interviews on Monday: It doesn't matter if I would or would not do something, this is not my time, this is the Lord's time. So if He asks me to exercise for 30 minutes in the morning, I better do it. President laughed at that :) By the way, I really like my mission President. He is totally awesome. Everything is done by inspiration and he is just fantastic. I am so grateful to have him as my mission president now.

Thank you all for everything. I know that because of your support I am strengthened. I am becoming stronger and I thank you all for your help.

Kevin, I had a question for you: What kinds of things did you do to learn Portguese?

Yesterday and this morning I have been trying really hard to think in Italian. When I pray, I pray in Italian, of course, but I try to really pray and I am feeling better about learning Italian. I don't get discouraged, I give myself pep talks often. In fact, I gave myself one last night, but for a different reason. It reallys helps.

I love you all!!! Time is still going by somewhat slow, but I just need to FORGET MYSELF AND GET TO WORK!!! But I'm looking forward to talking to all you, or at least some of you at CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Well, I better get going. But thank you again so much for the letters, emails, packages, prayers, and everything!!! They help so much and I know that I am not alone.

I love you all. You're the BEST FAMILY IN THE WORLD!!!!!

Love,
Sorella DeVocht

03 September 2008

3 September 2008

Dear Family,
I'm sorry if my first 2 emails from email have been kind of strange. I hope that they will be better from now on.

Yesterday was my first Zone Conference and it was AWESOME!!! Our district was also fasting for a memeber in the ward and that was amazing. Let me tell you my little story:

On Monday we were at a investigators house, Silvana, and we were having a get together thing for Simona from English class because she is going to Germany for 6 months but she'll come home for Christmas - and I hope that I'm still here - and we were eating food and chatting. I didn't really know that we were going to start a fast that night. I had heard stuff, but no one had acutally told me what was going on. So we had to catch this train because we were in Sestri and we had to get back to our area in Genova 1. But they kept wanted to feed us and give us food. We ran to the train station. We missed our train. We walked to the bus stop. We missed our bus. We waited for 20 minutes. We got on the bus, which is about a 30-45 minute ride. We were the only females on the bus and the only sober ones too. We could smell beer. I think that's the first time I smelt it. It smelled like very strong yeast. So we got off and walked to the church and we had 1 and a half pizzas with us and a large bit of cake. The Anziani ate our pizza, more like devoured it in 10 minutes or less and then we started our fast. I was EXTREMELY thirsty and I thought to myself that when I get home I will just take a quick swig of water and that will be it. We got home, late, and I fought it. I wasn't sure if I should drink the water or not. I was even thinking that I would go to bed and then get up later, in the middle of night and a get a drink of water, so my companion wouldn't know. I finally just decided not to drink it. I brushed my teeth and went to bed. The next morning we prepared ourselves for Zone Conference. The night before I had also thought that it was a bad idea to fast during Zone Conference, that I would get a headache and not be able to focus. But that goes to show how little I know, and that God is in the one in charge. Zone Conference was fantastic and I believe that it was even more because I did not give into the temptation to drink that water. That Zone Conference gave me strength. I was able to fast and not think about food. Sure, I had pains, I always do when I fast, but they were nothing to what I was receving, all the many blessings I was receving from my Loving Father in Heaven. I firmly believe that because I did not drink that water, that the Lord gave me extra strength to fast. I never received a headache and even after breaking our fast, after english class, at about 8:30, which was one and a half hours away from beng a 24-hour fast, I still could have continued fasting. I only didn't because we were doing it as a district; and we already had some problems with that. So we went with some of our English class students to get pizza, which I'm really glad we did. I was able to see the students as people, children of God, and not just some people that came to English class. And I didn't even talk to them. But we went to this pizza place and on the way we ate some chocolate chip cookies that we had received from Zone Conference. And all I wanted was water. About 5 liters of water. Everyone was telling me I had to get something, so I ordered some chocolate mousse. It was SO delicious!!! So delectably. And I drank about one vase of water. We had 3. My first 2 or 3, or 4, I can't remember, were just guzzled down. I can't even described to you how wonderful that water tasted and how fast I drank that water. Ask me about it at Christmas. :) We took the bus home. Our whole district was on the bus and we were standing next to each other and they were all talking about motorcycles and junk and it didn't feel right to me. Then I noticed a girl sitting right in front me and I also noticed that she was looking at my tag. I caught her eye and I didn't even think, which I usually do, which isn't always the best, and I said, "Buona sera. Come sta?" She didn't seem to understand and I asked her in Italian, "Lei non parla in italiano?" I heard her say something about English, so I asked her in English, "Do you speak English?" She does. She's from Romania, living in Genova for work, living with her boyfriend, she's Christian but doesn't have time for church. She told me her name because I asked, but I can't remember it. I wasn't too agressive but it's ok. When I got off the bus, I was smiling so big. :D I was so happy!!! I am so grateful for that experience. And I know that it was the Lord who put her in my path. And even though I wasn't very agressive in telling her about the church, I actually didn't really tell her much, come to think of it, but I did the best I could. This I know. It was not perfect but it was the best that I could do at that time. And I believe that it was because of not giving into temptation and having Zone Conference, and feeling the Spirit and being spiritally fed, that the Lord gave me extra strength and power. He did give me power. Power to forget myself and speak. God says that if we open our mouths, He will fill them. It's true. I did not have fear, I just spoke. I am grateful for my Heavenly Father. I know He has a plan for me here in Genova. That's why He called me here. Presidente Dunaway said this in Zone Conference yesterday: The Lord wants me to do something in (the city you're serving in, so for me, Genova) Genova. Ok, I actually can't really remember, but something along those lines. But there is a work fro me to do here and I want to be able to do it. I CAN!!! POSSO FARLO!!!!

Mom and Dad, you're never going to believe what I have a strong desire to do today: CLEAN!!! I really want to clean the house. We haven't been cleaning it and then I realized yesterday that everything they ask of us to do in the mission, is for the Lord. And it doesn't matter what we used to do or didn't do before the mission, that was on our time. Now, we're on the Lord's time. I want to do these things for the Lord. I want to do these things because the Lord asked me to. Time is precious and I need to foucs on what the Lord asks me to do. So that I can be ready for when the Lord needs me the most.

Well, thank you all for everything. Thanks mom for the letter. I received it yesterday at Zone Conference. But I haven't read it yet. Don't worry, I'm saving it for a precious time.

Well, I better get going. I love you all and thank you so much. Someday I will write you my schedule.

Until then
This has been
Sorella DeVocht

01 September 2008

27 August 2008

Dear Family,
I spent 20 minutes writing you all an email and then I accidently hit a button and I lost it all. So let's try this again.

Life is good here and I enjoy being a missionary. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY DAD!!! How was your birthday? What did you do?

The bugs love me here. I have a bug bite on my left hand and my hand was swollen for a few days. And then while writing this email, it just started to itch like nothing else. So I started to scratch and scratch. I just picked/clipped my nails a couple of days ago so they are pretty short. I scratched and scratched. And then I used the velcro on my bag to scratch it and that felt good and then it started to bleed a little, the bug bite. And then I scratched some more and then I noticed that I scratched some of my skin off. In one part, I can see the second layer of my skin. And it kind of burns. But it feels much better than when it itches. I forgot my anti-itch cream at home or otherwise I would have resisted. I'll have to see if I can get a picture of it when we return home and then I'll send you some pictures sometime before the end of my mission :)

I have a better attitude of the mission and everything else than I did last weeek. Time is going by kind of slow for me. It feels like I was at the MTC like a month or more ago and it's only been 2 weeks today. Buh.

I have my first Zone Conference next Tuesday. I am pretty excited. I will be able to see one of my friends from the MTC who was 6 weeks ahead of me, her name is Sorella Booth.

Life is getting better and so is speakin Italian and lots of other things too.

We are going to hike the mountain tonight, I think there is like 500 stairs. It will be a lot of fun.

Well, I think that's all for now. Sorry for all my requests. But I do appreciate you all so very much! Thank you for all you do, for all your support, love, and letters! Thank you!

Until next week
This has been
Sorella DeVocht :)

20 August 2008

Well I have been in Italia for 1 week! It's been pretty great. It's defintely not what everyone said it would be like, it's better! My disctrict consists of these missionaries: My companion and trainer, Sorella Harris, and then our district leader Anziano Robbins, his companion is Anziano Johnson, and then our zone leader is Anziano Allen and his companion is Anziano Heur. This is for Genova 1, but we, the sisters are also in Genova 2, we are in both words. The 2nd ward Anziani are as follows: Anziano Cook and his new companion, Anziano Barker who was with me in the MTC but not in my MTC district, Anziano Porter and his companion Anziano Bingham. We live right next to the train tracks, so we get to hear them all the time and my companion just loves that...not. I'm really liking it here in Genova.

I'm still struggling with jet lag and my district tells me that i will for the next few weeks. i pretty much wander around italy with my companion and stare at people, trying to understand what they are saying. it's good it's goode. if this email seems strange to anyone, it is. well, since no one has really written me i cant reply. and i dont know what esle to say. if you want to know someting, ask. i'm liking italy and italian more everyday.we ride the bus a lot. and i get dizzy a lot. but its' alirght dont worry.

i really do like my district. they're pretty funny. i will tell more later when you ask questions and when my head isnt't in the clouds. i love you all and i really appreciate all your love and support for me. thanks for being there for me.

Kevin, Anziano Robbins, our district leader, sometimes he reminds me of you. He calls me GG. Greenie Girl. That sounds like something you would call me. He also said that this one family, the Gentings, they want me to eat more so I become a porker. Just the way he says Porker reminds me of you. I love you Kevin thanks for everything!

well, i will say good bye now because i dont know what esle to say.

Vi voglio bene
con amore,
Sorella DeVocht