Ok, so yesterday I woke up from this madness nightmare I was living in. It took watching a true story on animal planet, where this guy was swimming in a lake and was attacked by an alligator and he was fighting for his life in the water. Meanwhile, his friends called an ambulance and a helicopter was flying in for him. In the end, he lost part of his left arm. He said something that really hit me: You can't see yourself with limitations. He uses a fake arm and he can still do everything he did before the alligator attack. That really got me thinking. He was fighting for his LIFE. I suffer from depression and it's just probably as bad as I make it out to be. Meaning, I am the one in control and I am the one who decides if I am depressed or not. I think that I have been using depression like a crutch. God gave me wings to fly, not to crouch low and hide behind my old, ragged, smelly, gray, soft blanket of depression that is smothering me. I don't like it, but it's comfortable and familiar. It's scary to push it away and take a RISK and FLY. But that's exactly what I need to do and must do.
Hey, yesterday I just had a bad day.
from the mind of mEgAn
16 December 2009
15 December 2009
I'm screaming out loud for help but....
Yesterday I was feeling really low and depressed. I didn't do much yesterday and I beat myself up for that. Most of the day, I sat on the bathroom floor, with the stereo on the toilet, listening to music while I 'clipped' more like butchered my toenails. When Dad came home we ate dinner and then I had the energy and motivation to start packing for school. After awhile I got distracted looking at some books that I had brought up from downstairs. I started doing some other nervous/anxiety habits. I started feeling down again. I wanted to cry. I texted Emily and expressed some of my feelings.
I'm nervous. I'm a little depressed. My facebook status says: I'm screaming out loud for help but no one can hear me. Maybe I'll write a song.
It seems like lately I've been having lots of pity parties. I'm up then down. Up then down. Over and over again. I beat myself up. I try to seek help but every one is too busy to hear me cry, to see the blood that is flowing so freely from the wounds that I have made, to hold me close and just BE and LOVE. I'm sick and tired of feeling this way. Why can't people understand that I need help? I'm screaming out loud for help but no one can hear me.
It seems like poetry is flowing so easily from my lips
It seems like lately I've been having lots of pity parties. I'm up then down. Up then down. Over and over again. I beat myself up. I try to seek help but every one is too busy to hear me cry, to see the blood that is flowing so freely from the wounds that I have made, to hold me close and just BE and LOVE. I'm sick and tired of feeling this way. Why can't people understand that I need help? I'm screaming out loud for help but no one can hear me.
It seems like poetry is flowing so easily from my lips
Distorted Images
Yesterday I was feeling really low and depressed. I didn't do much yesterday and I beat myself up for that. Most of the day, I sat on the bathroom floor, with the stereo on the toilet, listening to music while I 'clipped' more like butchered my toenails. When Dad came home we ate dinner and then I had the energy and motivation to start packing for school. After awhile I got distracted looking at some books that I had brought up from downstairs. I started doing some other nervous/anxiety habits. I started feeling down again. I wanted to cry. I texted Emily and expressed some of my feelings. My words were like poetry of a depressed soul. She called me and we talked for nearly two hours. Adam and Jenny also helped me out a lot. I cried on the phone and they listened. They are so great. Then we laughed and by the time I hung up (laying in bed, about to fall asleep) I was feeling much, much, much better. In our two-hour conversation, Emily mentioned about service dogs for people with depression. I really liked what she said. So this morning, I got on line and did some basic research. Just thinking about it makes me feel happy and excited and motivated. I found this awesome website. Check it out here. I really hope that I can do this. Wish me luck!
Thoughts and Ideas from the mAnIaC mInD of mEgAn
Thoughts and Ideas from the mAnIaC mInD of mEgAn
08 December 2009
Reality check - I think?
NOW my music is working. I wanted to listen to it ALL day but something was wack and it wasn't working. And now it is but I am going downstairs to watch my movie. What a tragic life - and there are people dying in Africa. I ought to be grateful. I am. I am grateful for this beautiful music that I have, to listen to and to enjoy. I love everything about life. I love God.
A bit of Megan tonight
I just finished my FASFA application. That is a relief! I am also biting my fingernails and emailing missionary friends in Italy, and wasting time on stupid facebook - curse that web page! - wanting to go downstairs to work on some stuff while I watch "Return to Me." I wish I could watch LOTR, but we do not have it. This isn't much of a blog entry, but that's ok.
Until next time this is,
Thoughts from the MiNd of mEgAn
Until next time this is,
Thoughts from the MiNd of mEgAn
26 November 2009
Life-Impaired
Well I have been home for just about a week. I AM suffering from culture shock and I am just getting over jet lag - let's hope so anyways - I feel life-impaired and I miss la mia Italia! I will most definitely have to return to my beloved country soon, hopefully next year. Well, I better go now and get on with cleaning out my life.
Reporting LIVE from Davenport, Iowa
Megan DeVocht
Reporting LIVE from Davenport, Iowa
Megan DeVocht
05 August 2009
July 30-- Yet another week in the life of Sorella DeVocht, making a difference in Italy
(Oops, I got this one out of order.)
Dear Family,Wow it is hot here! We are sitting here doing email and my face and neck are wet and sticky. Thank goodness we don't have to wear nylons in the summer!
Well, it is Italy, and it's summer, so practically no one is here, we don't have very many investigators, we have 2, and the work is slow but we are determined to find more investigators.
Tomorrow we have Zone Conference; I am so excited! And we get to ride a train! This will be my 9th Zone Conference!!! It's crazy how fast the time goes.
We made brownies for this family that we don't really know with a little note that we left for them at their door. Sorella Huber was really freaking out, wondering if we had done the right thing or not. THen a hour passes by and this number calls us and it's them! This family! Then he told us to ring them next time so that we can eat together. Then like 15 minutes later, he sent us a text telling us that the brownies are good. That is so crazy and definitely the Lord is helping us so much!
We have an appointment tonight with this african woman called, Lovett. She wants a Book of Mormon and she wants to learn more. I'll let you know how it goes.
Well, that's all for this week, sorry this email is so short and kind of lame.
I love you so much everyone and thanks for everything!
untill next week,
Love, Megan
THE BEST COMPANION EXCHANGE...EVER!!!!
Hey Family! How's it going?
So for the past two days we did a companion exchange. It was great fun! I was with Sorella Casalino, this is her first transfer in the mission, we were in Bergamo. She is Italian but her family moved when she was 7 years old to the United States. So she speaks both Italian and English. She is really great. She is an amazing missionary! This was the best companion exchange I've ever had. She was just fantastic! I'm not sure why, but she kind of reminds me of Nancy. She gave me a lot of ideas for how to be a better missionary. I love new missionaries, they can really teach us, the old ones, a lot. I'm really grateful for her and all that she taught me.
Ok, here is a summary of how are companion exchange went:
Monday night we went and saw a member, then we did some finding work, door to door. No one wanted to listen to us, but someone did want to call the police on us and someone else did get afraid of us. We walked home and we just have to ring our district leader when we get home. We got home, I tried to ring, but nothing happened. We planned and the district leader tried calling us and we tried answering but we couldn't. This went on from about 9:30 - 10:30, with the district leader, the elders in the other ward, the zone leaders in Como, and our ward mission leader callin us like every minute. We could see who was trying to call us but we couldn't answer. We even tried going to our neighbors to use their phone, but no one answered. Finally, our ward mission leader came to our house because the elders were worried. They said that they and our ward mission leader, Brother Carlo, called us and a man answered. So crazy! So Brother Carlo came over and saw that we were alright. And he called the elders and let them know we were alright. In the morning our alram didn't even go off on the phone, but I had waken up 10 minutes early and then my Sorella Casalino woke up when I went into the other room. After studies, we went on our quest to find the Tim store, our phone company. It only took us and hour and a half to find it, which, if we knew where it was, it would have only taken us 20 minutes to find it, where we received help from everyone, including a local police man who wants to come to church! We walked backwards and forwards and into the wrong store, finally to the right store, where Sorella Casalino saw that the phone was charged (we had charged it all night long, but it didn't charge, or it didn't show that it had charged). The lady at the store said that our phone was online and that it was ok. We tried calling and....it worked!! We walked home, walking all over Bergamo to find Esselunga to buy some food for lunch. We had lunch - wow! real food for the first time in days! Language study and then a nap - I know, I shoudn't have done it, but I had to. Sorella Casalino kept falling asleep during language study so I told her to sleep while I get ready. Then I moved the chair and she thought someone was screaming, she comes into the study room and says, "Sorella! Did you hear someone screaming?!?" It was kind of funny. More casa, this man told us that he doesn't need to know the purpose of this life. Missionary meeting was great. Lesson with Ruben and Agustina and their awesome kids: Ruben, Clarissa, and Jonathan. It felt so great for the whole family to be there. Everytime they see this kinder treat, they will think of the church. We used this type of kinder treat to help us with the Restoration. They really enjoyed it. We invited them to read and think about Moroni 10 and to pray to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. We had them write it down and we said that we would do it too. I must do it tonight. It really does help my personal faith to grow when I do the same things or something similar to what we are committing the investigators/members/less actives to do. I have seen my faith change for the better thanks to this simple practice. I like thinking it of an attitude of, "Let's do this together." It really does work. I love it so much. This was my FAVORITE companion exchange; it really was so amazing.
Last Friday, we had Zone Conference in good ol' Milano, my home, and I was able to realize and understand, thanks to Presidente Dunaway, that it is super hard to be a member here in Italy. It's really hard. There are so many things I want to do to help these members stay active and to help those lost sheep come back. I love the talk by Elder Perry from last conference about the lost shepherd. When I come home, I don't want to be missing in action, I want to help those be rescued.
Well, in Interviews, President is going to interview me for school! Last week I emailed him the endorsement papers. I have one more essay and hope to send at least a draft to Becky today.
I must write Presidente now, but I just had so much to tell all of you and I just can't type as fast as I would like to : )
I love you all! Keep the faith!!!
Vi voglio bene!!!
Con amore,
Sorella DeVocht
So for the past two days we did a companion exchange. It was great fun! I was with Sorella Casalino, this is her first transfer in the mission, we were in Bergamo. She is Italian but her family moved when she was 7 years old to the United States. So she speaks both Italian and English. She is really great. She is an amazing missionary! This was the best companion exchange I've ever had. She was just fantastic! I'm not sure why, but she kind of reminds me of Nancy. She gave me a lot of ideas for how to be a better missionary. I love new missionaries, they can really teach us, the old ones, a lot. I'm really grateful for her and all that she taught me.
Ok, here is a summary of how are companion exchange went:
Monday night we went and saw a member, then we did some finding work, door to door. No one wanted to listen to us, but someone did want to call the police on us and someone else did get afraid of us. We walked home and we just have to ring our district leader when we get home. We got home, I tried to ring, but nothing happened. We planned and the district leader tried calling us and we tried answering but we couldn't. This went on from about 9:30 - 10:30, with the district leader, the elders in the other ward, the zone leaders in Como, and our ward mission leader callin us like every minute. We could see who was trying to call us but we couldn't answer. We even tried going to our neighbors to use their phone, but no one answered. Finally, our ward mission leader came to our house because the elders were worried. They said that they and our ward mission leader, Brother Carlo, called us and a man answered. So crazy! So Brother Carlo came over and saw that we were alright. And he called the elders and let them know we were alright. In the morning our alram didn't even go off on the phone, but I had waken up 10 minutes early and then my Sorella Casalino woke up when I went into the other room. After studies, we went on our quest to find the Tim store, our phone company. It only took us and hour and a half to find it, which, if we knew where it was, it would have only taken us 20 minutes to find it, where we received help from everyone, including a local police man who wants to come to church! We walked backwards and forwards and into the wrong store, finally to the right store, where Sorella Casalino saw that the phone was charged (we had charged it all night long, but it didn't charge, or it didn't show that it had charged). The lady at the store said that our phone was online and that it was ok. We tried calling and....it worked!! We walked home, walking all over Bergamo to find Esselunga to buy some food for lunch. We had lunch - wow! real food for the first time in days! Language study and then a nap - I know, I shoudn't have done it, but I had to. Sorella Casalino kept falling asleep during language study so I told her to sleep while I get ready. Then I moved the chair and she thought someone was screaming, she comes into the study room and says, "Sorella! Did you hear someone screaming?!?" It was kind of funny. More casa, this man told us that he doesn't need to know the purpose of this life. Missionary meeting was great. Lesson with Ruben and Agustina and their awesome kids: Ruben, Clarissa, and Jonathan. It felt so great for the whole family to be there. Everytime they see this kinder treat, they will think of the church. We used this type of kinder treat to help us with the Restoration. They really enjoyed it. We invited them to read and think about Moroni 10 and to pray to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. We had them write it down and we said that we would do it too. I must do it tonight. It really does help my personal faith to grow when I do the same things or something similar to what we are committing the investigators/members/less actives to do. I have seen my faith change for the better thanks to this simple practice. I like thinking it of an attitude of, "Let's do this together." It really does work. I love it so much. This was my FAVORITE companion exchange; it really was so amazing.
Last Friday, we had Zone Conference in good ol' Milano, my home, and I was able to realize and understand, thanks to Presidente Dunaway, that it is super hard to be a member here in Italy. It's really hard. There are so many things I want to do to help these members stay active and to help those lost sheep come back. I love the talk by Elder Perry from last conference about the lost shepherd. When I come home, I don't want to be missing in action, I want to help those be rescued.
Well, in Interviews, President is going to interview me for school! Last week I emailed him the endorsement papers. I have one more essay and hope to send at least a draft to Becky today.
I must write Presidente now, but I just had so much to tell all of you and I just can't type as fast as I would like to : )
I love you all! Keep the faith!!!
Vi voglio bene!!!
Con amore,
Sorella DeVocht
22 July 2009
Love Potion number 9,er, Transfer number 9!
Hey Family,
Well now I am in Bergamo! Which is great! It's a lot calmer here than in Milano and I like it. We cover 2 wards, just like in Genova! But luckily, the 2 wards meet in the same building but just at differnt times. My new companion is Sorella Huber. She is great. She reminds me a lot of my old companion, Sorella Glass and also of my little sister Jenny : ) She is really crazy. BUt so am I, so we make a great companionship!
Well now that it is summer, everyone is gone and no one is interested to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ. We had our correltation meeting last night in Bergamo 1 and our ward mission leader told us to go to the members. I'm pretty excited about that.
Last night, one of our members called us and asked if we could come over tomorrow (today) and get gelato because she wants to meet me. It defintely was an answer to our prayers, to have more lessons. God really does hear and answers our prayers. I'm a witness to that.
Sorella Booth went to Baltimore Maryland last Wednesday to finish her mission. I have to write her today to see how she is doing.
Funny story: Yesterday I laid down for a bit because I was really tired. I slept through all of lunch and half of lanugage study. When I woke up, I was SO confused. I thought that is was the next day, in the morning. I was wondering why I was wearing my missionary clothes, why I wasn't in my pj's, where my companion was. Then I saw that it was "almost 7am" when really it was almost 2pm. I walked out into the study room and I asked Sorella Huber, "What day is it?" She was like, what are you talking about? And I was still confused and slightly sleeping for about an hour after that. Note to self: do NOT take naps during the day or I look and sound like a crazy.
Life is pretty good. Thanks for the emails and love.
well, until next week, this has been
Sorella DeVocht, reporting live from Bergamo
Love, Sorella DeVocht
Well now I am in Bergamo! Which is great! It's a lot calmer here than in Milano and I like it. We cover 2 wards, just like in Genova! But luckily, the 2 wards meet in the same building but just at differnt times. My new companion is Sorella Huber. She is great. She reminds me a lot of my old companion, Sorella Glass and also of my little sister Jenny : ) She is really crazy. BUt so am I, so we make a great companionship!
Well now that it is summer, everyone is gone and no one is interested to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ. We had our correltation meeting last night in Bergamo 1 and our ward mission leader told us to go to the members. I'm pretty excited about that.
Last night, one of our members called us and asked if we could come over tomorrow (today) and get gelato because she wants to meet me. It defintely was an answer to our prayers, to have more lessons. God really does hear and answers our prayers. I'm a witness to that.
Sorella Booth went to Baltimore Maryland last Wednesday to finish her mission. I have to write her today to see how she is doing.
Funny story: Yesterday I laid down for a bit because I was really tired. I slept through all of lunch and half of lanugage study. When I woke up, I was SO confused. I thought that is was the next day, in the morning. I was wondering why I was wearing my missionary clothes, why I wasn't in my pj's, where my companion was. Then I saw that it was "almost 7am" when really it was almost 2pm. I walked out into the study room and I asked Sorella Huber, "What day is it?" She was like, what are you talking about? And I was still confused and slightly sleeping for about an hour after that. Note to self: do NOT take naps during the day or I look and sound like a crazy.
Life is pretty good. Thanks for the emails and love.
well, until next week, this has been
Sorella DeVocht, reporting live from Bergamo
Love, Sorella DeVocht
15 July 2009
Saying good-bye to Milano
Dear Family,
Life is good, it is great. I love the mission so much. Anyways, so yesterday we guessed who would go where and what not else for transfers. I thought, if I'm being transferred I will go to Bergamo. When our Zone leaders called us last night, they asked us if we wanted to guess where we were going; in my head I thought, I'm going to Bergamo, but I didn't say it out loud. They told us, Sorella DeVocht, the Lord has called you to Bergamo to be senior companion to Sorella Huber. I knew I was going there. And I pretty much knew it all day, but I just kept going. My companions keep telling me that I am super calm. I am. I feel really calm about packing which is crazy because I'm always crazy when I am packing. So folks, I'm going to Bergamo! I'm super excited.
We went to the opera last week, we went and saw Aida. It was great. The scala is so beautiful. I have pictures, but not today. We weren't able to see the end, the best part, because we had to be home by 11pm, sort of like Cinderella. Missionarella - it kind of works. Who knows, it could be a hit. A missionary musical, that would be funny. : )
I was thinking about it this morning, and it really was a privlege for me to serve here in Milano 3 because if Sorella Booth hadn't gone home, who knows what would have happened. But I feel so blessed to have been able to serve in Milan, exactly where I wanted to serve when I first received my call; and for so long, 9 months, and in every ward. I am so happy. Plus, in Bergamo, we, the sisters, manage 2 wards, just like in Genova. I am really excited to go. I will miss Milan, but I know this is where the Lord wants me to serve. I feel the same as I did when I left Genova for Milano, like it was right. Because it is right.
I am just going to answer everyone's question in this one big email so if it's kind of random, just bear with me. So, here we go:
The opera was great! Yes, I enjoyed it very much so. I was surprised that I liked it as much as I did.
Oh Jenny, do we have interesting neighbors! One old lady, who is probably in ther 90's and wears the same outfit everyday and can hardly hear us, laughs this crazy laugh, and always yells at the pigeons to leave her balcony: "VADA VIA!!!!!"
Yes Emily, we can go sight seeing on P-days.
Oh Spencer, yes I get to play with cute little kids like you but not as much as I would like to because I'm a missionary. It's because I'm Norwegian, isn't it? : )
Thanks for the pictures Amy! And Ben, I quote you a lot here on the mission and when I said something in companion study today, something that you had said, Sorella Stevens said , your brother-in-law sounds like an all-star. So thanks again Ben for all your great emails! I can't believe how big/tall Katie is getting! She's going to be taller than me by the time I come home!
Well I think that's all folks. Reporting live for the last time in Milano 3
This has been Sorella DeVocht
Life is good, it is great. I love the mission so much. Anyways, so yesterday we guessed who would go where and what not else for transfers. I thought, if I'm being transferred I will go to Bergamo. When our Zone leaders called us last night, they asked us if we wanted to guess where we were going; in my head I thought, I'm going to Bergamo, but I didn't say it out loud. They told us, Sorella DeVocht, the Lord has called you to Bergamo to be senior companion to Sorella Huber. I knew I was going there. And I pretty much knew it all day, but I just kept going. My companions keep telling me that I am super calm. I am. I feel really calm about packing which is crazy because I'm always crazy when I am packing. So folks, I'm going to Bergamo! I'm super excited.
We went to the opera last week, we went and saw Aida. It was great. The scala is so beautiful. I have pictures, but not today. We weren't able to see the end, the best part, because we had to be home by 11pm, sort of like Cinderella. Missionarella - it kind of works. Who knows, it could be a hit. A missionary musical, that would be funny. : )
I was thinking about it this morning, and it really was a privlege for me to serve here in Milano 3 because if Sorella Booth hadn't gone home, who knows what would have happened. But I feel so blessed to have been able to serve in Milan, exactly where I wanted to serve when I first received my call; and for so long, 9 months, and in every ward. I am so happy. Plus, in Bergamo, we, the sisters, manage 2 wards, just like in Genova. I am really excited to go. I will miss Milan, but I know this is where the Lord wants me to serve. I feel the same as I did when I left Genova for Milano, like it was right. Because it is right.
I am just going to answer everyone's question in this one big email so if it's kind of random, just bear with me. So, here we go:
The opera was great! Yes, I enjoyed it very much so. I was surprised that I liked it as much as I did.
Oh Jenny, do we have interesting neighbors! One old lady, who is probably in ther 90's and wears the same outfit everyday and can hardly hear us, laughs this crazy laugh, and always yells at the pigeons to leave her balcony: "VADA VIA!!!!!"
Yes Emily, we can go sight seeing on P-days.
Oh Spencer, yes I get to play with cute little kids like you but not as much as I would like to because I'm a missionary. It's because I'm Norwegian, isn't it? : )
Thanks for the pictures Amy! And Ben, I quote you a lot here on the mission and when I said something in companion study today, something that you had said, Sorella Stevens said , your brother-in-law sounds like an all-star. So thanks again Ben for all your great emails! I can't believe how big/tall Katie is getting! She's going to be taller than me by the time I come home!
Well I think that's all folks. Reporting live for the last time in Milano 3
This has been Sorella DeVocht
11 July 2009
July 8--just a quick note
Dear Family,
Hey how are you doing family? the 4th of july was hot and we didn't do anything. we just worked. really hard and it was great. i love being a missionary so much. we are getting to know the members a lot better. Brother Ciorli is a great help to us. he is in the bishopric and comes with us to lessons. he is a really great example for me.
mabel's baptism was great!
sorry i can't write much today, we are short on time because we are going to go to the SCALA tonight and see Aida!!! my first opera ever, in Italy!!! I love you all, thanks so much.
Love,
Sorella DeVocht
Hey how are you doing family? the 4th of july was hot and we didn't do anything. we just worked. really hard and it was great. i love being a missionary so much. we are getting to know the members a lot better. Brother Ciorli is a great help to us. he is in the bishopric and comes with us to lessons. he is a really great example for me.
mabel's baptism was great!
sorry i can't write much today, we are short on time because we are going to go to the SCALA tonight and see Aida!!! my first opera ever, in Italy!!! I love you all, thanks so much.
Love,
Sorella DeVocht
July 1--Sticky weather
Hey Family,
Sorry if I've been kind of rocky these past few weeks with writing home. I've been having some challenging times but I am working on enjoying the moment and learning and growing from these experiences.
Ok, the work in Milano 3 is doing great. We have found some really great people who want to progress and who want to get baptized; like Sandra. We found her doing casa in casa last Thursday; she let us in, we taught her a lesson, we kneeled together in prayer, we left her a Book of Mormon and committed her to read, she came to church on Sunday, she brought her Book of Mormon with her, we had a lesson with her after church with a member, she went to that member's house for lunch and was there for like 5 hours, and then we had an appointment with her yesterday and she is doing great. She lives with other people and they think she is strange for doing this, but she says, I don't care, I feel something in my heart and I'm going to follow it. She is so great!!! Plus on Sunday, we met her at the bus stop to walk to church together and she said she was sorry that she was in pants but that the next week she would wear a skirt. Oh family!!!! she is just SO GREAT!!!!!!! And the reason why we did casa in casa in that area was because we had an appointment with someone else in that pilazzo but we didn't know her citofono or where she lived, so we decided to do casa in casa. It's so true that the Lord really does work in mysterious ways.
Do you all remember Mabel? She was my investigator in Milano 1 and this Saturday, she is getting BAPTIZED!!! We're going to go! I am so excited. Oh, Mabel is so great. She is totally amazing.
Well FAMILY I love you so much and I am so grateful for you all!
Love, Sorella DeVocht
Sorry if I've been kind of rocky these past few weeks with writing home. I've been having some challenging times but I am working on enjoying the moment and learning and growing from these experiences.
Ok, the work in Milano 3 is doing great. We have found some really great people who want to progress and who want to get baptized; like Sandra. We found her doing casa in casa last Thursday; she let us in, we taught her a lesson, we kneeled together in prayer, we left her a Book of Mormon and committed her to read, she came to church on Sunday, she brought her Book of Mormon with her, we had a lesson with her after church with a member, she went to that member's house for lunch and was there for like 5 hours, and then we had an appointment with her yesterday and she is doing great. She lives with other people and they think she is strange for doing this, but she says, I don't care, I feel something in my heart and I'm going to follow it. She is so great!!! Plus on Sunday, we met her at the bus stop to walk to church together and she said she was sorry that she was in pants but that the next week she would wear a skirt. Oh family!!!! she is just SO GREAT!!!!!!! And the reason why we did casa in casa in that area was because we had an appointment with someone else in that pilazzo but we didn't know her citofono or where she lived, so we decided to do casa in casa. It's so true that the Lord really does work in mysterious ways.
Do you all remember Mabel? She was my investigator in Milano 1 and this Saturday, she is getting BAPTIZED!!! We're going to go! I am so excited. Oh, Mabel is so great. She is totally amazing.
Well FAMILY I love you so much and I am so grateful for you all!
Love, Sorella DeVocht
June17--Oh happy day!
Dear Family,
Sorry for not writing last week but like Sorella Festin told you, I was having internet problems.
Guess what? Two of my old investigators in Milano 1 are ... getting BAPTIZED!!! Mabel, who is 17 and Ester who has cancer and whom I love so much. Their baptismal date is for the day, July 4, Neil's birthday. The Zone Leaders, who are in Milano 1 and are now teaching my old investigators called and told me about that. I think that is just so exciting! And it's for this transfer, so I will be here, and I will be able to go!
Last Thursday was June 11. One year ago I entered the MTC to start the mission. And now I am here in Italy, serving the Lord and inviting others to come unto Christ. It's pretty interesting: last night I had a dream that I was home. That my time on the mission was done. No one really seemed to notice that I was home. But I felt like I really was at home, really truly. But I felt good because I knew I had done the work and the will of the Lord. Then when I woke up, it took me a minute to realize that yes, I am still on the mission, and that there is still time to be a full-time missionary, to be a representative of Jesus Christ. This dream actually gave me hope, there is still work for me that the Lord needs me to do here in Italy, that my time is not yet to go home.
We have 2 new investigators, Maria, the mom, and Gaitano, the son. Gaitano is like in his 30's or 40's, I'm not sure. Maria is really quiet in the lessons and avoids our questions; but Gaitano is really curious. At our last lesson, this past Monday, he had read his reading, the introduction and the testimonies and then read on to 1 Nephi 13. He is really great. At our last visit, we invited him to pray to know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.
We have also been on the way of dropping some of our investigators who are not progressing and who don't want to do anything. We love them so much, but now we are putting the matter in the Lord's hands.
We also have a new investigator, he's name is Mosè, Moses. We're trying to have a FHE with his family. If we can't teach his family, because he is a man, we will have to pass him to the Elders.
We are having a Ward Missionary activity this Friday. How the members can help the missionaries and how they can talk about the gospel with others. Sorella Stevens basically wrote the ward mission plan. I'm really excited for it. We are going to do a lot of stuff, but one of the best things is that we are going to watch 'Living Waters.' I am super excited about that. Last week we watched it with the Elders and our ward missionary leader at his house and I felt the Spirit SO strong. Oh! I love that movie clip so much!!! Speaking of Living Waters, may I make a request? I would like to have a CD with great songs on it. Living Waters be great on that CD, even a couple of times. If you, the family, could make me a special CD, I would be so grateful for that.
A few things that I have been thinking about lately and that I would like to ask you all. First off, all you missionaries - did you have anything for documenting casa in casa? Uh, casa in casa would be door to door, I guess. But did you have a way to document your work? For every house? Secondly, mom do you know of any healthy, kind of sweet and delicious snacks without refined sugars that I could eat. I really like the fruit leathers, I don't think they have them here in Italy, but if you could send me some, fantastic, if not, just some ideas of what I could eat instead. I still have a sweet tooth, but I do want to feel good. And thirdly is if any of you have any ideas or pointers, tips, advice, words of wisdom for how to teach some to read. A beginner reader. We have an investigator and she can not read, and so we want to teach here to read so that she can read the Book of Mormon.
This morning we went to the market to buy some fruit and it only cost us €7. Not to bad. I love the markets so much. I love Italy so much. I would really love to come back to Italy and live here a normal life and just see the difference and enjoy the little things that we don’t have time for on the mission.
One beautiful thing that has been happening is that so many less-actives are starting to activate themselves. Like Luis. He’s from Mexico. He actually came up to us in a park one day and asked where the church was. He told us that his whole family are members, but they haven’t been to church for awhile. He gave him the address and said see you later. For about 2 weeks we didn’t hear anything from him. Then 2 Sunday’s ago, he came to church! Wearing regular clothes but he was in church! The next Tuesday he came to FHE, then last Sunday he came to church, wearing jeans, a grey button-up shirt and a tie! I was so happy. And then he also came last night to FHE and he said that he will probably come to the activity this Friday. And Marcela, she is coming to church to help us with primary. She called and told us sorry that she wasn’t able to come to church. She is changing so much! Maybe our work with investigators is kind of shallow, we don’t have a lot of work, but we are working with less-actives and they are changing, repenting, growing, and being activated. This makes me so happy! I really want to reactive less-actives when I come home. Sometimes I get so excited to be a member missionary and it’s hard for me to contain myself. I want to be a member missionary so bad! I know that now is my time to be a full-time missionary, but as my companion, Sorella Acerson said, Heavenly Father is getting me pumped up. I can now see the importance of visiting teaching and reaching out to those who are not sure about their faith. I am so excited! Yeah!!!
Thanks for the letters Mom, I just got your green leaves one on Monday at District Meeting. We have Zone Conference next week and then Interviews the week after that. Wow time goes by so fast.
I love you all and thank you so much for all the prayers, love, help, and support that you freely give me. Well, I need to write to President, so I will sign out. This has been Sorella DeVocht, reporting live from Milano 1.
Love you!
Love, Sorella DeVocht
Ciao!
Sorry for not writing last week but like Sorella Festin told you, I was having internet problems.
Guess what? Two of my old investigators in Milano 1 are ... getting BAPTIZED!!! Mabel, who is 17 and Ester who has cancer and whom I love so much. Their baptismal date is for the day, July 4, Neil's birthday. The Zone Leaders, who are in Milano 1 and are now teaching my old investigators called and told me about that. I think that is just so exciting! And it's for this transfer, so I will be here, and I will be able to go!
Last Thursday was June 11. One year ago I entered the MTC to start the mission. And now I am here in Italy, serving the Lord and inviting others to come unto Christ. It's pretty interesting: last night I had a dream that I was home. That my time on the mission was done. No one really seemed to notice that I was home. But I felt like I really was at home, really truly. But I felt good because I knew I had done the work and the will of the Lord. Then when I woke up, it took me a minute to realize that yes, I am still on the mission, and that there is still time to be a full-time missionary, to be a representative of Jesus Christ. This dream actually gave me hope, there is still work for me that the Lord needs me to do here in Italy, that my time is not yet to go home.
We have 2 new investigators, Maria, the mom, and Gaitano, the son. Gaitano is like in his 30's or 40's, I'm not sure. Maria is really quiet in the lessons and avoids our questions; but Gaitano is really curious. At our last lesson, this past Monday, he had read his reading, the introduction and the testimonies and then read on to 1 Nephi 13. He is really great. At our last visit, we invited him to pray to know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.
We have also been on the way of dropping some of our investigators who are not progressing and who don't want to do anything. We love them so much, but now we are putting the matter in the Lord's hands.
We also have a new investigator, he's name is Mosè, Moses. We're trying to have a FHE with his family. If we can't teach his family, because he is a man, we will have to pass him to the Elders.
We are having a Ward Missionary activity this Friday. How the members can help the missionaries and how they can talk about the gospel with others. Sorella Stevens basically wrote the ward mission plan. I'm really excited for it. We are going to do a lot of stuff, but one of the best things is that we are going to watch 'Living Waters.' I am super excited about that. Last week we watched it with the Elders and our ward missionary leader at his house and I felt the Spirit SO strong. Oh! I love that movie clip so much!!! Speaking of Living Waters, may I make a request? I would like to have a CD with great songs on it. Living Waters be great on that CD, even a couple of times. If you, the family, could make me a special CD, I would be so grateful for that.
A few things that I have been thinking about lately and that I would like to ask you all. First off, all you missionaries - did you have anything for documenting casa in casa? Uh, casa in casa would be door to door, I guess. But did you have a way to document your work? For every house? Secondly, mom do you know of any healthy, kind of sweet and delicious snacks without refined sugars that I could eat. I really like the fruit leathers, I don't think they have them here in Italy, but if you could send me some, fantastic, if not, just some ideas of what I could eat instead. I still have a sweet tooth, but I do want to feel good. And thirdly is if any of you have any ideas or pointers, tips, advice, words of wisdom for how to teach some to read. A beginner reader. We have an investigator and she can not read, and so we want to teach here to read so that she can read the Book of Mormon.
This morning we went to the market to buy some fruit and it only cost us €7. Not to bad. I love the markets so much. I love Italy so much. I would really love to come back to Italy and live here a normal life and just see the difference and enjoy the little things that we don’t have time for on the mission.
One beautiful thing that has been happening is that so many less-actives are starting to activate themselves. Like Luis. He’s from Mexico. He actually came up to us in a park one day and asked where the church was. He told us that his whole family are members, but they haven’t been to church for awhile. He gave him the address and said see you later. For about 2 weeks we didn’t hear anything from him. Then 2 Sunday’s ago, he came to church! Wearing regular clothes but he was in church! The next Tuesday he came to FHE, then last Sunday he came to church, wearing jeans, a grey button-up shirt and a tie! I was so happy. And then he also came last night to FHE and he said that he will probably come to the activity this Friday. And Marcela, she is coming to church to help us with primary. She called and told us sorry that she wasn’t able to come to church. She is changing so much! Maybe our work with investigators is kind of shallow, we don’t have a lot of work, but we are working with less-actives and they are changing, repenting, growing, and being activated. This makes me so happy! I really want to reactive less-actives when I come home. Sometimes I get so excited to be a member missionary and it’s hard for me to contain myself. I want to be a member missionary so bad! I know that now is my time to be a full-time missionary, but as my companion, Sorella Acerson said, Heavenly Father is getting me pumped up. I can now see the importance of visiting teaching and reaching out to those who are not sure about their faith. I am so excited! Yeah!!!
Thanks for the letters Mom, I just got your green leaves one on Monday at District Meeting. We have Zone Conference next week and then Interviews the week after that. Wow time goes by so fast.
I love you all and thank you so much for all the prayers, love, help, and support that you freely give me. Well, I need to write to President, so I will sign out. This has been Sorella DeVocht, reporting live from Milano 1.
Love you!
Love, Sorella DeVocht
Ciao!
03 June 2009
ETTE
Ciao Famiglia! Come state? Sto bene.
Well transfer calls were last night and we will be a threesome for another transfer! I am so excited. But for a few days, Sorella Stevens will be in Modena with another sister because the district that is coming in is delayed 2 weeks because there are 3 cases of swine flu in the Provo MTC. None of the missionaries coming to Italy have it, but all missionaries expected to leave for the field this week, must stay in the MTC for 2 weeks to make sure that they are free from any illness. I don't know if you all have heard that or not.
We had a great quick lesson with one of our investigators on Sunday, Elba. She was talking to Sorella Acerson after church and she was asking some questions about the Holy Ghost. So we grabbed a member and went into another room. We answered her questions and all of us felt the Spirit, despite the many distractions we had. I thought it was great to use the situation wisely and teach Elba. She is so amazing and we all thing that she is ready. We hope to invite her to be baptized this week!
Carol was a contact the sisters had before I came. They had tried to get a hold of her forever. We tried last week and we found her! Even this time we really persevered and we found her and we taught her a lesson. She is 18 and she is also ready for the gospel. She is so amazing!!!
Yesterday was a holiday in Italy, so a lot of people didn't have work. We went and found a less-active, Rosi, and she let us in and we taught her a lesson. She is so amazing. It seems like lately, a lot of less-actives that we come across are really great missionaries. She is going to bring a friend this week to church, fast Sunday, it's her favorite Sunday. I love finding less-actives and helping them find that light that is inside of them, getting that spark going. We talked about it this morning and we think that these less-actives have confidence in the gospel, they know that it is true, that's why they share it with others, but they lack knowing that they have a testimony and that they have a lot to give to the world.
Thanks for the letters Mom. We went back to Milano 1 apartment on Friday to do some cleaning and both your letters were in the mail. As far as an address, you can all send it to the mission home address because we go there to have District Meeting 3 Mondays a transfer. And then one week we have zone conference and one week we have interviews. So that's the update on mail.
Well, while Sorella Stevens is gone I am going to learn how to better cook and I will start cooking! Also, Ben, you'll be happy: Sorella Stevens told me of the importance of flossing your teeth. She taught me how to floss my teeth last night and I floseed them last night and this morning and already my teeth feel great! Floss your teeth!
Well, that's about all for this week. Thank you so much for the emails and the things you all shared with me. You all are such a great help to me. I love you all!
Love, Sorella DeVocht
P.S Next week, ask me about animal sacrifices : )
Well transfer calls were last night and we will be a threesome for another transfer! I am so excited. But for a few days, Sorella Stevens will be in Modena with another sister because the district that is coming in is delayed 2 weeks because there are 3 cases of swine flu in the Provo MTC. None of the missionaries coming to Italy have it, but all missionaries expected to leave for the field this week, must stay in the MTC for 2 weeks to make sure that they are free from any illness. I don't know if you all have heard that or not.
We had a great quick lesson with one of our investigators on Sunday, Elba. She was talking to Sorella Acerson after church and she was asking some questions about the Holy Ghost. So we grabbed a member and went into another room. We answered her questions and all of us felt the Spirit, despite the many distractions we had. I thought it was great to use the situation wisely and teach Elba. She is so amazing and we all thing that she is ready. We hope to invite her to be baptized this week!
Carol was a contact the sisters had before I came. They had tried to get a hold of her forever. We tried last week and we found her! Even this time we really persevered and we found her and we taught her a lesson. She is 18 and she is also ready for the gospel. She is so amazing!!!
Yesterday was a holiday in Italy, so a lot of people didn't have work. We went and found a less-active, Rosi, and she let us in and we taught her a lesson. She is so amazing. It seems like lately, a lot of less-actives that we come across are really great missionaries. She is going to bring a friend this week to church, fast Sunday, it's her favorite Sunday. I love finding less-actives and helping them find that light that is inside of them, getting that spark going. We talked about it this morning and we think that these less-actives have confidence in the gospel, they know that it is true, that's why they share it with others, but they lack knowing that they have a testimony and that they have a lot to give to the world.
Thanks for the letters Mom. We went back to Milano 1 apartment on Friday to do some cleaning and both your letters were in the mail. As far as an address, you can all send it to the mission home address because we go there to have District Meeting 3 Mondays a transfer. And then one week we have zone conference and one week we have interviews. So that's the update on mail.
Well, while Sorella Stevens is gone I am going to learn how to better cook and I will start cooking! Also, Ben, you'll be happy: Sorella Stevens told me of the importance of flossing your teeth. She taught me how to floss my teeth last night and I floseed them last night and this morning and already my teeth feel great! Floss your teeth!
Well, that's about all for this week. Thank you so much for the emails and the things you all shared with me. You all are such a great help to me. I love you all!
Love, Sorella DeVocht
P.S Next week, ask me about animal sacrifices : )
27 May 2009
Early Heat Wave
Dear Family,
Yesterday we had interviews. It was really great. New missionaries bear their testimonies at the beginning of the conference and missionaries that are going home bear their testimonies at the end. When one elder was bearing his testimony at the end, it kind of hit me that I too will go home. I've been away from home, serving a mission for almost a year; but it doesn't really feel like it. The time will go by fast. But, I'm actually not worried. I'm not care free either, but I feel good. I feel like I am doing the best that I can, even if that's the 100% or even if it's enough. I am doing what I can. This morning I realized that I am really weak. I have a lot of problems. But this doesn't discourage me. Actually, it helps me to lean on the Lord more, change my will to His will, even if it hurts. I have about six months left of the mission. I'm not counting; I don't really have a concept for time, in that sense. That is really helpful actually, not really having a sense of time; there's always something to work on and improve. It feels like I haven't been here for very long, but at the same time, it does. With all these amazing experiences we have each day, sometimes one day really feels like two. And this transfer feels like it has been forever. Not a bad thing. Because I've been in two areas, different companions and new experiences, new ward, new missionaries, new investigators. So I can hardly believe that transfers are next week. Tuesday night is the night, we get the phone call from the Zone Leaders. I really want to stay in Milano. I really do love this place. I am been so blessed to be here for this long. I remember sometime between when I received my call to the time before I left for the MTC, I felt strongly, that I really wanted to serve in Milano. I have no idea why I felt that because I didn't know anything about Milano. But I have been in Milano for almost 8 months. And all of Milano too! Milano 1, 2, and 3. A lot of people have been commenting on that. I'm very grateful for it. But I will go anywhere that the Lord would have me go. But I will be sad to leave my Milano, my home away from home. I love this place!
Well, Italy is suffering from an early heat wave. Everyday I sweat buckets and I have to take a shower at night, otherwise the sweat sticks to my skin and it starts to itch. We just received an email from Sister Dunaway about this and that we need to drink lots and lots of water. We need to be drinking at least 2 liters of water everyday, but with hard work and hot sun, we should be drinking more. That is defintely something that I need to be working on. Last night it actually cooled down and it was really great to sleep. Whenever I look at my companions faces, their faces are wet like mine, dripping with sweat. We all suffer from it, but I'd probably say that the elders suffer the most because they have to wear their white shirts buttoned up all the way with a tie. Yikes!
Everyday we teach lessons, do finding work, talk to everyone about the gospel and invite them to learn more, strengthen the ward, help other missionaries, and help one another. It's tiring but it feels great. The other night, we came home, I was hot, sweaty, sticky, hungry, and tired, but I felt great. I love those days.
Transfers are next week so we'll see where I'll be. We need to go over to the apartment in Milano 1 to clean some stuff up and I will check the mail. By the way, thanks for all the emails this week, they are really what I needed. I love you all! Looking forward to hearing from y'all next week.
Much love, Sorella DeVocht
Yesterday we had interviews. It was really great. New missionaries bear their testimonies at the beginning of the conference and missionaries that are going home bear their testimonies at the end. When one elder was bearing his testimony at the end, it kind of hit me that I too will go home. I've been away from home, serving a mission for almost a year; but it doesn't really feel like it. The time will go by fast. But, I'm actually not worried. I'm not care free either, but I feel good. I feel like I am doing the best that I can, even if that's the 100% or even if it's enough. I am doing what I can. This morning I realized that I am really weak. I have a lot of problems. But this doesn't discourage me. Actually, it helps me to lean on the Lord more, change my will to His will, even if it hurts. I have about six months left of the mission. I'm not counting; I don't really have a concept for time, in that sense. That is really helpful actually, not really having a sense of time; there's always something to work on and improve. It feels like I haven't been here for very long, but at the same time, it does. With all these amazing experiences we have each day, sometimes one day really feels like two. And this transfer feels like it has been forever. Not a bad thing. Because I've been in two areas, different companions and new experiences, new ward, new missionaries, new investigators. So I can hardly believe that transfers are next week. Tuesday night is the night, we get the phone call from the Zone Leaders. I really want to stay in Milano. I really do love this place. I am been so blessed to be here for this long. I remember sometime between when I received my call to the time before I left for the MTC, I felt strongly, that I really wanted to serve in Milano. I have no idea why I felt that because I didn't know anything about Milano. But I have been in Milano for almost 8 months. And all of Milano too! Milano 1, 2, and 3. A lot of people have been commenting on that. I'm very grateful for it. But I will go anywhere that the Lord would have me go. But I will be sad to leave my Milano, my home away from home. I love this place!
Well, Italy is suffering from an early heat wave. Everyday I sweat buckets and I have to take a shower at night, otherwise the sweat sticks to my skin and it starts to itch. We just received an email from Sister Dunaway about this and that we need to drink lots and lots of water. We need to be drinking at least 2 liters of water everyday, but with hard work and hot sun, we should be drinking more. That is defintely something that I need to be working on. Last night it actually cooled down and it was really great to sleep. Whenever I look at my companions faces, their faces are wet like mine, dripping with sweat. We all suffer from it, but I'd probably say that the elders suffer the most because they have to wear their white shirts buttoned up all the way with a tie. Yikes!
Everyday we teach lessons, do finding work, talk to everyone about the gospel and invite them to learn more, strengthen the ward, help other missionaries, and help one another. It's tiring but it feels great. The other night, we came home, I was hot, sweaty, sticky, hungry, and tired, but I felt great. I love those days.
Transfers are next week so we'll see where I'll be. We need to go over to the apartment in Milano 1 to clean some stuff up and I will check the mail. By the way, thanks for all the emails this week, they are really what I needed. I love you all! Looking forward to hearing from y'all next week.
Much love, Sorella DeVocht
26 May 2009
May 20--randomness
Ciao Family!
WOW!!! A lot has happened! So, Thursday came, and President called me and told me that the decision was made for Sorella Booth to go home, which meant I was going to be with Sorella Acerson and Sorella Stevens until the end of the transfer and then who knows what will happen. Which means that I no longer live at Via Cantello, but you can just write to the Mission Office because who knows what will happen and next week we have interviews, which means we will get mail from the mission office. I packed all my stuff and the Dunaways took us to the Milano 3 apartment. I had like 2 minutes to say goodbye to Sorella Booth. It was really hard. But things are going good now. I can now say that I have served in ALL of Milano, 2, 1, and 3. Ch'è bello! I really do love Milano SO MUCH!!! It's not that beautiful but I love it. I don't know what it is about Milano, why I like it so much but I really do love it with all my heart and I am so glad to be able to be here for so long. I would like to stay here for a least 1 more transfer, but that's just a wish. Life is pretty good these days. The sun is out and I am getting sunburned. But today I put on sunscreen so hopefully that helps. My face is, not red, but close to, especially my nose : ) This past week we had an Enlgish Fast. It has been AMAZING!!! The only time we could speak English was during nightly planning, weekly planning, and companion study. It has been such a blessing and so great. I love the mission! I am going to now close this email. Good bye. That is all.
Love, Sorella DeVocht
WOW!!! A lot has happened! So, Thursday came, and President called me and told me that the decision was made for Sorella Booth to go home, which meant I was going to be with Sorella Acerson and Sorella Stevens until the end of the transfer and then who knows what will happen. Which means that I no longer live at Via Cantello, but you can just write to the Mission Office because who knows what will happen and next week we have interviews, which means we will get mail from the mission office. I packed all my stuff and the Dunaways took us to the Milano 3 apartment. I had like 2 minutes to say goodbye to Sorella Booth. It was really hard. But things are going good now. I can now say that I have served in ALL of Milano, 2, 1, and 3. Ch'è bello! I really do love Milano SO MUCH!!! It's not that beautiful but I love it. I don't know what it is about Milano, why I like it so much but I really do love it with all my heart and I am so glad to be able to be here for so long. I would like to stay here for a least 1 more transfer, but that's just a wish. Life is pretty good these days. The sun is out and I am getting sunburned. But today I put on sunscreen so hopefully that helps. My face is, not red, but close to, especially my nose : ) This past week we had an Enlgish Fast. It has been AMAZING!!! The only time we could speak English was during nightly planning, weekly planning, and companion study. It has been such a blessing and so great. I love the mission! I am going to now close this email. Good bye. That is all.
Love, Sorella DeVocht
May 6--HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!
Dear Family,
Hey! How's it going? I am so excited to talk to the family this Sunday!!! I will be calling from a Utah number, so I won't have to buy a calling card, and it will be free! This sister is American, married an Italian, and they have this line through the computer, so it all works out great.
Life is pretty great here in Milano 1. Yesterday we saw our new investigator, Ester, who is from Bolivia and she is amazing. Sorella Booth and I think that she is one of those people that all we need to do is to remind them of of the plan that God has for all of us. This was our second time meeting and when we asked her if she read the Book of Mormon she said, yeah, of course. and then she went on to tell us what she had read. I LOVE it when investigators tell us what they've read. It always makes me so happy. : )
Well, sorry this is a little short this week, but I have a few other people to write and not much time. But know that I love you all and that I am so very grateful for your prayers and love!!!
Love from,
Sorella De Vocht
P.S. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY KEVIN!!!!
CIAO
Hey! How's it going? I am so excited to talk to the family this Sunday!!! I will be calling from a Utah number, so I won't have to buy a calling card, and it will be free! This sister is American, married an Italian, and they have this line through the computer, so it all works out great.
Life is pretty great here in Milano 1. Yesterday we saw our new investigator, Ester, who is from Bolivia and she is amazing. Sorella Booth and I think that she is one of those people that all we need to do is to remind them of of the plan that God has for all of us. This was our second time meeting and when we asked her if she read the Book of Mormon she said, yeah, of course. and then she went on to tell us what she had read. I LOVE it when investigators tell us what they've read. It always makes me so happy. : )
Well, sorry this is a little short this week, but I have a few other people to write and not much time. But know that I love you all and that I am so very grateful for your prayers and love!!!
Love from,
Sorella De Vocht
P.S. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY KEVIN!!!!
CIAO
30 April 2009
29 April 2009
Hey Family!
Well, things are going great. The mission truly is amazing and I am so grateful to be here. I am learning a lot about the mission more these days and how very important it is to bear sincere testimony. I love that I have this wonderful opportunity to study deeply the gospel of Jesus Christ and to bear my testimony often. There are a lot of challenges in life, but one of the things that I have and am continuing to learn, is that nothing is too hard or too painful or too whatever for the Savior to help us. He is always there, our constant guide and friend, on who we can depend. He can help us overcome anything in this life and I am so grateful, truly, to have weaknesses so that I can turn onto Him. Ether 12:27 is one of my favorite scriptures. I truly am grateful for my trials and down times and weaknesses and challenges. Without them, I could not draw closer unto my Savior, Jesus Christ. There a lot of things I could tell all of you this week, but I just want to bear my testimony to all of you. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior, that He died for me. That I am here, on the earth, and now in Italy, specifically, Milano 1, for a reason. I know that God exists. That He knows and cares for me indivudally. I am in my 7th transfer and sometimes I still feel like I am a new missionary. But all is well. I love you all and am so grateful for all your love and prayers. You are an AWESOME!!!!! family!!!!!
Vi voglio bene!!!
Con amore,
Sorella DeVocht
Well, things are going great. The mission truly is amazing and I am so grateful to be here. I am learning a lot about the mission more these days and how very important it is to bear sincere testimony. I love that I have this wonderful opportunity to study deeply the gospel of Jesus Christ and to bear my testimony often. There are a lot of challenges in life, but one of the things that I have and am continuing to learn, is that nothing is too hard or too painful or too whatever for the Savior to help us. He is always there, our constant guide and friend, on who we can depend. He can help us overcome anything in this life and I am so grateful, truly, to have weaknesses so that I can turn onto Him. Ether 12:27 is one of my favorite scriptures. I truly am grateful for my trials and down times and weaknesses and challenges. Without them, I could not draw closer unto my Savior, Jesus Christ. There a lot of things I could tell all of you this week, but I just want to bear my testimony to all of you. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior, that He died for me. That I am here, on the earth, and now in Italy, specifically, Milano 1, for a reason. I know that God exists. That He knows and cares for me indivudally. I am in my 7th transfer and sometimes I still feel like I am a new missionary. But all is well. I love you all and am so grateful for all your love and prayers. You are an AWESOME!!!!! family!!!!!
Vi voglio bene!!!
Con amore,
Sorella DeVocht
22 April 2009
Going on transfer number 7!!!!!!!
Dear Family,
Well, the call of death was last night, er, transfer calls, that is. And guess what? Guess where I'm going? ............................
Life is getting a lot better. Sorella Booth and I are having a great time doing missionary work and really helping this area of Milano to grow.
First picture is of the HAIL that we received one night last week during an awesome THUNDERSTORM.
Second picture is of my companion 'decorating' her planner. Lighting a ribbon on fire. I think it's a sweet picture.
Third picture is of the sunrise from our kitchen window. I thought it looked pretty great.
On Sunday, it was super hard for both my companion and I to get up and go to church. But we did it. And I can see the blessings from being obedient, even when I really didn't want to. We went from teaching zero appointments to teaching like 15 in a week. We have already had 3 lessons, we have 2 more today, and we have a lot set up for the rest of the week. The Lord is truly helping us get back into the swing of things and He is blessing us tremdously. We have the potential of having a baptism this transfer. Pray really hard for Mabel. She is 17 years old and she came up to us and asked us for our information and she really wants to change religions. We had a lesson with her on Monday, we watched Finding Faith in Christ. All three of us felt the spirit so strong. After the film, Sorella Booth and I shared our testimonies and talked about how we felt, or what we had felt. Mabel said she felt the same and my great companion said that this is the spirit. We invited her to pray about what we talked about and to read the Restoration phamplet for the next time, which is today, in about 1 hour and 15 minutes : ) I am really excited to see Mabel grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and for her to really know that she is a daughter of God and the He has a plan and purpose for her.
Yesterday, we met with Ester, an older lady, who has cancer, but really likes to talk about God. We taught her a lesson in the park, but it was more like we just let her feel the spirit. She told us that Christ has never left her alone, never. I saw tears in her eyes. We sat in silence a lot, but it wasn't awkward; I really feel that she was feeling the spirit and having a conversation with him. She really wants to come to church, she has a lot of faith.
This morning we went grocery shopping and we really wanted to buy a delicious cake that we had eaten at an investigators house. So we bought, and then the lady at the check out, said that one cake is 3 whatever euro and then the 2nd one is free, a gift. So Sorella Booth went back and got a different one and now we have 3 cakes at home, one from last week, that a member gave to us. Mamma mia!!! We have some eating to do. No worries! Oh! Mom, I got your delicious Easter package on Monday. Sorella Booth and I have been eating a TON of treats these past few days. We've been eating a lot of junk.
I love you all and I always love receiving mail, emails, letters, packages, and etc, you guys are great. Thank you so much. I love you all!
Love,
Sorella DeVocht
Have you guessed yet where I'm going?........................
..............................
NO WHERE!!!! Sorella Booth and I will be companions for a second transfer, this makes it my fifth transfer in good 'ol Milano. Woot woot!!!
Ciaodì
15 April 2009
short and sweet? you be the judge of that
Dear Family,
First off, the two pictures. One is a picture of me and the artist that I met last week, and the other picture if of my current district.
Spring is defintely here in good 'ol Milan! Yesterday I went to the dentist and they took out my wisdom tooth on the left upper side. All is well. I go in next week to check things over. I hope that I can wait to come home to get my bottom wisdom teeth out.
Life has been moving along. I can't believe that next week is already transfers!!! This transfer has gone by SO fast!!! I wonder what will happen? There is always that mystery.
Stephanie, TANTI AUGURI A TE!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Today is YOUR day!!!! I wish you well and that you have a party and a half and a great day and week!!!
My energy is running kind of low, but I really want to write to you about Easter. Just someone ask me about it in an email and I will remember to write about it.
Sorry this email is so lame, I guess the pictures make up for that : )
Well, until next week
this has been
Sorella DeVocht
reporting live from Milano
08 April 2009
Sorella DeVocht, how do you feel? I feel like a million bucks!!!
Hello Family!!!
Well I can tell you now that I feel almost 100% better but I am still feeling like a million bucks!!!
So guess what? I went to the dentist yesterday and they took one of my wisdom teeth out and it was a huge tooth!!! I kept it, for memories : ) Oh my dear family I do feel so very blessed indeed. I want to tell you all a million things but there is not enough time to write everything for time is so small! But I do want to mention a few things:
The earthquake close to Rome is defintely a sign that a temple is being built in Italy. I feel so priviledged to be here at this moment in time to help move the work of God. I feel the Spirit very strong right now as I write about this. The Lord is preparing His children. Satan is working hard to not have a temple in Rome, but we know he is going to lose! The church really is growing in Italy. Peopel are changing and people are coming unto Christ. The past two days we did scambi. I went back to Milano 2 and it was great. I was able to teach Eva, our awesome investigator. We were going to invite her to be baptized in May, but she beat us to it! She said, I want to be baptized on May 2. I am so excited for her. Sorella Wilcox followed the Spirit and we, she and I and my old companion and Eva, all fasted so that Eva would have the permission from her boss to go out on Sundays for church and then also on May 2 for her baptism. I have felt the Spirit so strong these past few days. I am so grateful that I was able to participate in a fast for one of my favoirte investigators, my little Eva! The church is growing in Italy!!! The Second Coming of the Savior is fast approaching!!! I am so excited that I am able to be here in this exciteding time.
On scambi, I was also able to see Ada, my mamma away from home! She is Phillipino and I love her so much! She is less-active, but is so strong. She was so happy to see me and I was so happy to see her. I really feel like the Lord has truly blessed me to be able to see some great people in Milano 2 during scambi. I love Ada so much!!! One of the great things about the mission is meeting awesome people and then making great relationships and friendships with them. Then sometime later in life, I hope I can meet all of them; but if not, on the other side I can be with them forever. I love relationships and friendships so much! They are the best! They are one of the best things to have in this life, because then we will get to have them again after this short earth life.
I don't know if it 's like this in New York, but in Italy, on the subways, we call them Metros, it's Italian, I think, we are blessed to have singers and musical players play for us on the metros, for money. But there was this crazy lady singing terribly on the metro. It was hilarous!!!
So this short email turned into a novel. Hello! This is Megan! I talk for hours and I wrote novels home. Well, I got to do a few other things before we head out of email, but life is great. Thanks for the prayers and everything. Plus I am so excited about Natalie and Madalyn!!!! Oh it is so sweet!!!!
I am so excited for everything!!! I LOVE you all!!!
Love,
Sorella Megan DeVocht
P.S. We talked to a guy here at the Internet point, he's from somewhere close to romania and we gave him a brochure and talked to him about missionaries. he wrote down our names and we hope that he reads about the restoration and that he calls us. we see him here often at the internet point. life is good!
Well I can tell you now that I feel almost 100% better but I am still feeling like a million bucks!!!
So guess what? I went to the dentist yesterday and they took one of my wisdom teeth out and it was a huge tooth!!! I kept it, for memories : ) Oh my dear family I do feel so very blessed indeed. I want to tell you all a million things but there is not enough time to write everything for time is so small! But I do want to mention a few things:
The earthquake close to Rome is defintely a sign that a temple is being built in Italy. I feel so priviledged to be here at this moment in time to help move the work of God. I feel the Spirit very strong right now as I write about this. The Lord is preparing His children. Satan is working hard to not have a temple in Rome, but we know he is going to lose! The church really is growing in Italy. Peopel are changing and people are coming unto Christ. The past two days we did scambi. I went back to Milano 2 and it was great. I was able to teach Eva, our awesome investigator. We were going to invite her to be baptized in May, but she beat us to it! She said, I want to be baptized on May 2. I am so excited for her. Sorella Wilcox followed the Spirit and we, she and I and my old companion and Eva, all fasted so that Eva would have the permission from her boss to go out on Sundays for church and then also on May 2 for her baptism. I have felt the Spirit so strong these past few days. I am so grateful that I was able to participate in a fast for one of my favoirte investigators, my little Eva! The church is growing in Italy!!! The Second Coming of the Savior is fast approaching!!! I am so excited that I am able to be here in this exciteding time.
On scambi, I was also able to see Ada, my mamma away from home! She is Phillipino and I love her so much! She is less-active, but is so strong. She was so happy to see me and I was so happy to see her. I really feel like the Lord has truly blessed me to be able to see some great people in Milano 2 during scambi. I love Ada so much!!! One of the great things about the mission is meeting awesome people and then making great relationships and friendships with them. Then sometime later in life, I hope I can meet all of them; but if not, on the other side I can be with them forever. I love relationships and friendships so much! They are the best! They are one of the best things to have in this life, because then we will get to have them again after this short earth life.
I don't know if it 's like this in New York, but in Italy, on the subways, we call them Metros, it's Italian, I think, we are blessed to have singers and musical players play for us on the metros, for money. But there was this crazy lady singing terribly on the metro. It was hilarous!!!
So this short email turned into a novel. Hello! This is Megan! I talk for hours and I wrote novels home. Well, I got to do a few other things before we head out of email, but life is great. Thanks for the prayers and everything. Plus I am so excited about Natalie and Madalyn!!!! Oh it is so sweet!!!!
I am so excited for everything!!! I LOVE you all!!!
Love,
Sorella Megan DeVocht
P.S. We talked to a guy here at the Internet point, he's from somewhere close to romania and we gave him a brochure and talked to him about missionaries. he wrote down our names and we hope that he reads about the restoration and that he calls us. we see him here often at the internet point. life is good!
02 April 2009
April 1--We're finally out of the HOUSE!!!
Dear Family,
Well, it has been quite the week. Remember when I said that I didn't feel well last week? Well, I got the flu, big and hard. It wiped me out for a week. Today is the first day that we went outside to actually do stuff and today is p-day. I am still sick but I do not have a fever anymore, menomale. Friday we went to zone conference, we were an hour late and it was interesting. i received a blessing from the assistants, well, one of them anointed and then the other sealed it and then both assistants and president Dunaway were in the circle. i felt the spirit and the preisthood power very strong. we went home and i slept. sorella booth was able to go to our investigators baptism but we did scambi because i still had a fever. we also missed angela's confirmation on sunday, i feel bad for Sorella Booth because she wasn't able to go. then the ward mission leader and his wife, and another couple came over to our apartment to give us the sacrament, afterwards, our ward mission leader gave me a blessing. That night, as I was sleeping, my fever finally broke, and monday we bought more medicine and hung out and we did that yesterday too. it has been quite the week. i have had a lot of time to think - that's both good and bad - we have interviews tomorrow and I am very grateful for that. sorry if this email is kind of crazy, i haven't been doing much besides sleeping for about a week and we have been inside for over a week so we are a little crazy and i am a little insane. I would love to tell you more about the work here, but it's a little hard this week since we really did not do anything. i really was like a zombie, all i did was sleep, thursday, friday night, all day saturday, sunday, it was crazy. i only woke up to eat a little something or to go to the bathroom, otherwise, i was in bed thinking and sleeping.
Well, that's about all i have to say for now.
until next week,
Sorella DeVocht
Well, it has been quite the week. Remember when I said that I didn't feel well last week? Well, I got the flu, big and hard. It wiped me out for a week. Today is the first day that we went outside to actually do stuff and today is p-day. I am still sick but I do not have a fever anymore, menomale. Friday we went to zone conference, we were an hour late and it was interesting. i received a blessing from the assistants, well, one of them anointed and then the other sealed it and then both assistants and president Dunaway were in the circle. i felt the spirit and the preisthood power very strong. we went home and i slept. sorella booth was able to go to our investigators baptism but we did scambi because i still had a fever. we also missed angela's confirmation on sunday, i feel bad for Sorella Booth because she wasn't able to go. then the ward mission leader and his wife, and another couple came over to our apartment to give us the sacrament, afterwards, our ward mission leader gave me a blessing. That night, as I was sleeping, my fever finally broke, and monday we bought more medicine and hung out and we did that yesterday too. it has been quite the week. i have had a lot of time to think - that's both good and bad - we have interviews tomorrow and I am very grateful for that. sorry if this email is kind of crazy, i haven't been doing much besides sleeping for about a week and we have been inside for over a week so we are a little crazy and i am a little insane. I would love to tell you more about the work here, but it's a little hard this week since we really did not do anything. i really was like a zombie, all i did was sleep, thursday, friday night, all day saturday, sunday, it was crazy. i only woke up to eat a little something or to go to the bathroom, otherwise, i was in bed thinking and sleeping.
Well, that's about all i have to say for now.
until next week,
Sorella DeVocht
25 March 2009
life is great
Dear Family,
Life is great here in Milano 1. Mom wanted to know my schedule so here is a typical day in the life of Sorella DeVocht:
6:30 wake up, excercise, pray
7:00 get ready for the day
8:00 personal study
9:00 companion study
10:00 go out and have appointments, or talk to Carmen (crazy lady on the street)
1:00 lunch
2:00 language study
3:00 back outside until 9:00
9:00 program, i mean plan for the next day
10:30 lights out
Well, Sorella Booth and I have really been living it up these past few days. tuna noodle casserole with apple crisp was great.
we have zone conference this friday, then scambi, then interviews all in the next few days.
Well, this Saturday will be a special day. Anglea, one of our investigators, will be entering into the waters of baptism. She is so excited and so am I. I have only known her for 2 weeks but i am very lucky to be here for her baptism. her story is quite the one. i would tell you today, but i am not feeling the greatest, so i will try to next week.
no i have not yet seen Anziano Clove, I don't know when I will, he is on the other side of the mission. i think he will have his first zone conference tomorrow. that will be awesome for him.
i'm sorry this email isn't the best, i had a really rough night last night and my body is aching and I do not feel very well, but all is well!! Tutto ben! Tutto ben! All is well!
mom, i did get the gray sweater, thanks so much for that! i really enjoy it, i jsut kept forgetting to mention it. i also got your two letters either today or yesterday, i'm not sure. thanks a lot for them.
i love you all and am grateful for all your prayers and support and love
Love from your missionary in Italy,
Sorella DeVocht
Life is great here in Milano 1. Mom wanted to know my schedule so here is a typical day in the life of Sorella DeVocht:
6:30 wake up, excercise, pray
7:00 get ready for the day
8:00 personal study
9:00 companion study
10:00 go out and have appointments, or talk to Carmen (crazy lady on the street)
1:00 lunch
2:00 language study
3:00 back outside until 9:00
9:00 program, i mean plan for the next day
10:30 lights out
Well, Sorella Booth and I have really been living it up these past few days. tuna noodle casserole with apple crisp was great.
we have zone conference this friday, then scambi, then interviews all in the next few days.
Well, this Saturday will be a special day. Anglea, one of our investigators, will be entering into the waters of baptism. She is so excited and so am I. I have only known her for 2 weeks but i am very lucky to be here for her baptism. her story is quite the one. i would tell you today, but i am not feeling the greatest, so i will try to next week.
no i have not yet seen Anziano Clove, I don't know when I will, he is on the other side of the mission. i think he will have his first zone conference tomorrow. that will be awesome for him.
i'm sorry this email isn't the best, i had a really rough night last night and my body is aching and I do not feel very well, but all is well!! Tutto ben! Tutto ben! All is well!
mom, i did get the gray sweater, thanks so much for that! i really enjoy it, i jsut kept forgetting to mention it. i also got your two letters either today or yesterday, i'm not sure. thanks a lot for them.
i love you all and am grateful for all your prayers and support and love
Love from your missionary in Italy,
Sorella DeVocht
22 March 2009
March 18
Hey Family,
It's been a great week. So I am in Milano 1 with the Great Sorella Booth. We were in the MTC together. She is totally awesome!!! She is so hiliarous!!! we are having so much fun togehter - but don't get me wrong we are doing work, missionary work. she reminds me so much of stephanie, and guess what? she has a brother named Kevin too!!!! Who knew!!! last night my companion ate a raw bird, we saw a dead pigeon on the ground, and she said why not. no just kidding, about the pigeon. she did eat a raw bird at a members house. it was really bloody. and it was quail. today we bought groceries, i spent 6 euro, i bought yogurt one bottle of water, frozen french fires and a box of juice.
So sorella booth and i are really great together. i am so excited and so happy that i can be a companion that is a ton of fun!!! well, becky asked me about school and i am not quite sure. my companion has convinced me to be a nanny in the east. i've thought about it all day and I think it is something that I really want to do. of cousre, i want to go to school, don't get me wrong, i really want to. but i really want to live life to its fullest and do some pretty amazing stuff in this world.
i am so happy that Anziano Clove is here!!! but he is on the other side fo the missino so i do not know when i will see him. but that is so cool that he is in Ravenna!!! I want to know who is training him. Maybe an Anziano from my group . who knows!!!
i am living in the smallest sister apartment in the mission and i love it!!! i ate like a horse this past week. i ate so much!!!
well, until next week
this has been Sorella DeVocht
reporting live from MILano 1
It's been a great week. So I am in Milano 1 with the Great Sorella Booth. We were in the MTC together. She is totally awesome!!! She is so hiliarous!!! we are having so much fun togehter - but don't get me wrong we are doing work, missionary work. she reminds me so much of stephanie, and guess what? she has a brother named Kevin too!!!! Who knew!!! last night my companion ate a raw bird, we saw a dead pigeon on the ground, and she said why not. no just kidding, about the pigeon. she did eat a raw bird at a members house. it was really bloody. and it was quail. today we bought groceries, i spent 6 euro, i bought yogurt one bottle of water, frozen french fires and a box of juice.
So sorella booth and i are really great together. i am so excited and so happy that i can be a companion that is a ton of fun!!! well, becky asked me about school and i am not quite sure. my companion has convinced me to be a nanny in the east. i've thought about it all day and I think it is something that I really want to do. of cousre, i want to go to school, don't get me wrong, i really want to. but i really want to live life to its fullest and do some pretty amazing stuff in this world.
i am so happy that Anziano Clove is here!!! but he is on the other side fo the missino so i do not know when i will see him. but that is so cool that he is in Ravenna!!! I want to know who is training him. Maybe an Anziano from my group . who knows!!!
i am living in the smallest sister apartment in the mission and i love it!!! i ate like a horse this past week. i ate so much!!!
well, until next week
this has been Sorella DeVocht
reporting live from MILano 1
March 11--Half-way mark
Dear Family,
Well, today is March 11, 2009. This means that I have been on the mission for 9 months! That's half-way! It is so crazy!!! I am half way through and Anziano Clove comes in! I am so excited to see him. My companion will be glad that he is finally here because for the past 3 transfers, I have been telling Sorella Glass that he is coming here! But guess what? Soon, she is not going to be my companion anymore. Transfer Calls were last night. One call from your zone leaders makes a huge difference in the life of a missionary. 10:30, no call yet. We turned the lights out and talked so that we would not fall asleep. 11:00, phone rings, it's the zone leaders. Turns out that I am getting transferred...to....Milano 1. So I am moving to the other side of the city. My new companion is Sorella Booth, we were in the MTC together, she is one transfer ahead of me, she is 26 or 27, and we have been praying that we would be companions, and now we are!!! Also, we did scambi together last transfer, and that was just a preview for this next transfer. So, I served in Genova for 2 transfers, Milano, I'm going on my 4th, but Milano 2, 3 transfers, and who knows for how long in Milano 1. oh yeah, milano 1 has a like a real chapel building. like in the states. i am so excited about that.
after being in the mission for awhile, and with sorella glass for the past 3 transfers, yesterday was the first day we got seperated. she got on the metro and there was no space for me, so i hopped off and tried to get on at another door, but i missed it and so she went to teh next stop while i hanged out at piola and ate m&m's adn then she came and got me. it was kind of weird but not as bad as i thought it would be.
yesterday we ran for our lives to catch a bus that ended up going way past where we wanted to go. it would have been shorteer to jsut keep on walking instead of taking the bus.
0n sunday, we were getting ready to leave the house, when the doctor called my companion. they talked for an hour about her life so taht he can figure out why she has headaches everyday. we missed our appointment. it was funny because as he is asking her when she gets stressed and stuff like that, she is stressing out right now because we are missing our appointment!!! it was quite the oxymoron.
we were at an appointemnt the other day, and one of the little girls, who is 8, says, 'Io voglio che DeVocht vada via,' which means, I want DeVocht to go away. i just laughed and more when we got home.
yesterday we did some service for a sister in our ward. she is from utah and is starting school on thursday so we offered to help her claen her house. it was so mych fun. he r 2 kids, isaiah and mike, who are, 7 and 6 years old. it was a lot of fun. mike is the cutest kid on the planet. he is so crazy. i wish you guys could know him, he is awesome.
well, i am packing all my stuff to take it to the other side of the city. i really am happy to stay in milano. who knows, maybe i will do scambi with my old companion.
milano rocks!!! i am so happy to be here yet again! its so cool!
well now i got to go. we aer going to hang out with the other sisters in milano.
until next time,
Sorella DeVocht
p.s. sorry for the horrible spelling. this keyboard is not the best and i can't spell in any language.
Peace out
Ciaodì
Well, today is March 11, 2009. This means that I have been on the mission for 9 months! That's half-way! It is so crazy!!! I am half way through and Anziano Clove comes in! I am so excited to see him. My companion will be glad that he is finally here because for the past 3 transfers, I have been telling Sorella Glass that he is coming here! But guess what? Soon, she is not going to be my companion anymore. Transfer Calls were last night. One call from your zone leaders makes a huge difference in the life of a missionary. 10:30, no call yet. We turned the lights out and talked so that we would not fall asleep. 11:00, phone rings, it's the zone leaders. Turns out that I am getting transferred...to....Milano 1. So I am moving to the other side of the city. My new companion is Sorella Booth, we were in the MTC together, she is one transfer ahead of me, she is 26 or 27, and we have been praying that we would be companions, and now we are!!! Also, we did scambi together last transfer, and that was just a preview for this next transfer. So, I served in Genova for 2 transfers, Milano, I'm going on my 4th, but Milano 2, 3 transfers, and who knows for how long in Milano 1. oh yeah, milano 1 has a like a real chapel building. like in the states. i am so excited about that.
after being in the mission for awhile, and with sorella glass for the past 3 transfers, yesterday was the first day we got seperated. she got on the metro and there was no space for me, so i hopped off and tried to get on at another door, but i missed it and so she went to teh next stop while i hanged out at piola and ate m&m's adn then she came and got me. it was kind of weird but not as bad as i thought it would be.
yesterday we ran for our lives to catch a bus that ended up going way past where we wanted to go. it would have been shorteer to jsut keep on walking instead of taking the bus.
0n sunday, we were getting ready to leave the house, when the doctor called my companion. they talked for an hour about her life so taht he can figure out why she has headaches everyday. we missed our appointment. it was funny because as he is asking her when she gets stressed and stuff like that, she is stressing out right now because we are missing our appointment!!! it was quite the oxymoron.
we were at an appointemnt the other day, and one of the little girls, who is 8, says, 'Io voglio che DeVocht vada via,' which means, I want DeVocht to go away. i just laughed and more when we got home.
yesterday we did some service for a sister in our ward. she is from utah and is starting school on thursday so we offered to help her claen her house. it was so mych fun. he r 2 kids, isaiah and mike, who are, 7 and 6 years old. it was a lot of fun. mike is the cutest kid on the planet. he is so crazy. i wish you guys could know him, he is awesome.
well, i am packing all my stuff to take it to the other side of the city. i really am happy to stay in milano. who knows, maybe i will do scambi with my old companion.
milano rocks!!! i am so happy to be here yet again! its so cool!
well now i got to go. we aer going to hang out with the other sisters in milano.
until next time,
Sorella DeVocht
p.s. sorry for the horrible spelling. this keyboard is not the best and i can't spell in any language.
Peace out
Ciaodì
March 4--Ship on Wheels
Dear Family,
So I have a few things to say right off. 1st: I am almost at my half-way mark!!! and I can NOT believe it!!! It feels like 2 months ago I arrived in Italy. Where has the time gone? 2nd: Billy, or I should say, ANZIANO Clove will be here in Italy, in 1 week!!!!! Next week is transfers! So, I have been with Sorella Glass for 3 transfers, we'll see if we are together for a 4th or if one of us leaves. I really don't want to leave Milano yet. It really is great and I really feel like I will be staying here for awhile, but we will see.
Hmm... funny stories, funny stories.
Yesterday my companion was asking me why I was laughing at her, or something like that, and I was trying to say that everyone looks funny when they are sick, but what I actually said was, "Everyone looks sick when they are funny."
Last night we had gone to a pharmacy to get yet again medicine for Sorella Glass. on our way back to church, she challenged me to invite this young man that was walking near us, to come to English class. At first I didn't want to and then I knew I had to. After walking for awhile, while my companion was talking to Sorella Dunaway, I stopped this guy and invited him to English class. I was scared to death to talk to him and I don't think I did very well. He said he had already taken lots of English classes, but I gave him the flyer anways. Then I started to continue walking, when I realized that my companion had already crossed the street and was way ahead of me and had no idea I wasn't next to her. I ran/walked fast across the street and she just kept walking. Finally after liek 30 seconds, she turns around and sees that I'm not there and then gives me a funny look. She had NO idea that I had stopped that guy or that I wasn't by her. She was too busy talking to Sorella Dunaway and just kept walking to church. I thought it was pretty funny myself.
Oh yes! BEcky I remembered that yes I do know Sister BAker and actualy she is going home this trnasfer! oh and i can not spell or speak english today!!!! sorry my spelling is HORRIBLE!!! This morning we went and met someone, and sorella glass was describing another sister, and she said, 'speaking' in Italian, "Lei è tall e bionde." Which means, she is tall and blonde, ,but she TOTALLY said tall and she didn't even know it.
We went to a mUsem today and this was something in it that I really liked and taht really made me laugh. I hope you also enjoy Ship on Wheels.
I got to go now.
Sorella DeVocht
So I have a few things to say right off. 1st: I am almost at my half-way mark!!! and I can NOT believe it!!! It feels like 2 months ago I arrived in Italy. Where has the time gone? 2nd: Billy, or I should say, ANZIANO Clove will be here in Italy, in 1 week!!!!! Next week is transfers! So, I have been with Sorella Glass for 3 transfers, we'll see if we are together for a 4th or if one of us leaves. I really don't want to leave Milano yet. It really is great and I really feel like I will be staying here for awhile, but we will see.
Hmm... funny stories, funny stories.
Yesterday my companion was asking me why I was laughing at her, or something like that, and I was trying to say that everyone looks funny when they are sick, but what I actually said was, "Everyone looks sick when they are funny."
Last night we had gone to a pharmacy to get yet again medicine for Sorella Glass. on our way back to church, she challenged me to invite this young man that was walking near us, to come to English class. At first I didn't want to and then I knew I had to. After walking for awhile, while my companion was talking to Sorella Dunaway, I stopped this guy and invited him to English class. I was scared to death to talk to him and I don't think I did very well. He said he had already taken lots of English classes, but I gave him the flyer anways. Then I started to continue walking, when I realized that my companion had already crossed the street and was way ahead of me and had no idea I wasn't next to her. I ran/walked fast across the street and she just kept walking. Finally after liek 30 seconds, she turns around and sees that I'm not there and then gives me a funny look. She had NO idea that I had stopped that guy or that I wasn't by her. She was too busy talking to Sorella Dunaway and just kept walking to church. I thought it was pretty funny myself.
Oh yes! BEcky I remembered that yes I do know Sister BAker and actualy she is going home this trnasfer! oh and i can not spell or speak english today!!!! sorry my spelling is HORRIBLE!!! This morning we went and met someone, and sorella glass was describing another sister, and she said, 'speaking' in Italian, "Lei è tall e bionde." Which means, she is tall and blonde, ,but she TOTALLY said tall and she didn't even know it.
We went to a mUsem today and this was something in it that I really liked and taht really made me laugh. I hope you also enjoy Ship on Wheels.
I got to go now.
Sorella DeVocht
25 February 2009
Dear Family,
Hi how is everyone doing? I am doing alright. First off: Mom, I got the yummy Valentine's Day treats last saturday and I have already eaten them all, they were so good!!! And Happy Birthday to Emily, Mom, and Nancy!!!!!! I've been a slacker lately and have not remembered to wish anyone a happy birthday.
Transfers are in two weeks and I wonder what will happen. I had a dream last night that someone told me that I will be in Milano for awhile.
Last week, my companion and I went down to Genova to pick up my permesso di suggiorno. Well, they told us we needed to make an appointment, so we made one and then got to hang out in Genova for awhile. It was so nice to be back in my first city. And then on Monday we went down again and I was able to pick it up. It was most enjoyable for me. OH yes! the pictures of me are what the other sisters in Milano did to me, a makeover some would call it. And the other ones, I think, are in Genova, the beautiful ocean. I miss Genova. I didnt' realize how much I missed it until I was there last week and again on mOnday.
the weather has been on and off here. yesterday morning it was so cold, the sun wasn't out, there was so much fog/smog, and the humitity was a killer, but then later on in the day, the sun was out and it was nice and pleasant to be outside. and today is a beautiful day, a little chilly, but great still. I am looking foreward to the spring and summer. i've decided that i much would rather to be hot than to be cold.
I am feeling a little overwhlemed because i feel that i am supposed to be this great missionary and yet I am not even close to that. but i'm doing alright. some days are better than others.
I'm really looking forward to the start of next transfer to see ANZIANO CLOVE!!! It's going to be sweet!
Well, we got to go grocery shopping so we can have food for the weeek and then go do an activity with julia, an american.
ciao tutti!!!
love,
Sorella DeVocht
19 February 2009
February 18--LOVE
hey family,
sorry that this will be a short one. but life is great in milano. i am learning a lot and we have some amazing investitgators, hopefully they will be getting baptized in the next few months!!! i just love being in italy, this is reallly where the Lord wants me to be at this time in my life. i am grateful for my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, that He is always there waiting for us to come into His loving arms. I know that God lives. I know that He has a plan for YOU. He loves YOU. As do I love you. Thanks again for everything. Kaite, I LOVE the my little pony stickers, they are my favorite, thanks so much. I love you all!!
Love your Sorella DeVocht
sorry that this will be a short one. but life is great in milano. i am learning a lot and we have some amazing investitgators, hopefully they will be getting baptized in the next few months!!! i just love being in italy, this is reallly where the Lord wants me to be at this time in my life. i am grateful for my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, that He is always there waiting for us to come into His loving arms. I know that God lives. I know that He has a plan for YOU. He loves YOU. As do I love you. Thanks again for everything. Kaite, I LOVE the my little pony stickers, they are my favorite, thanks so much. I love you all!!
Love your Sorella DeVocht
11 February 2009
Hey!!!
I am so happy to hear about Natalie! I am glad she is doing better. Life is pretty good here in Milano. Time always goes by so fast. It seems like we just had our P-day, and we're having another one today? Before we know it, I'll be coming home!!! YIKES!!!
Mom, thanks for the pink letter, I received it today. Mother, as for the sweaters, don't worry about sending them. They can wait for me at home when I arrive there in the winter. Or if someone else wants them or needs them, you can give them to them. But thank you for sending my gray sweater. We have Zone Conference this Friday so we'll see if I receive it then, or for Interviews in a few weeks. I usually wear two cardigan sweaters a day, one underneath my shirt and one over it. And I also usually wear two skirts. It's pretty nice.
Today is a windy, blustery day, it kind of reminds me of a Winne-the-Pooh day. But it is beautiful. And the sky is blue and clear, there is no fog and there is no smog. It's actually blue today and not the usual gray of Milano.
The other night I discovered what I think is mold on the bottoms of both my feet. It makes sense because I've been wearing wet boots for awhile. But now that the weather is a little better, I am back to wearing my open shoes.
Sorry this email isn't the best. We are at a different internet point, and I don't really like this keyboard. It makes typing a little harder for me.
Well, I got to go.
I love you all, thanks for everything.
Love from,
Sorella DeVocht
I am so happy to hear about Natalie! I am glad she is doing better. Life is pretty good here in Milano. Time always goes by so fast. It seems like we just had our P-day, and we're having another one today? Before we know it, I'll be coming home!!! YIKES!!!
Mom, thanks for the pink letter, I received it today. Mother, as for the sweaters, don't worry about sending them. They can wait for me at home when I arrive there in the winter. Or if someone else wants them or needs them, you can give them to them. But thank you for sending my gray sweater. We have Zone Conference this Friday so we'll see if I receive it then, or for Interviews in a few weeks. I usually wear two cardigan sweaters a day, one underneath my shirt and one over it. And I also usually wear two skirts. It's pretty nice.
Today is a windy, blustery day, it kind of reminds me of a Winne-the-Pooh day. But it is beautiful. And the sky is blue and clear, there is no fog and there is no smog. It's actually blue today and not the usual gray of Milano.
The other night I discovered what I think is mold on the bottoms of both my feet. It makes sense because I've been wearing wet boots for awhile. But now that the weather is a little better, I am back to wearing my open shoes.
Sorry this email isn't the best. We are at a different internet point, and I don't really like this keyboard. It makes typing a little harder for me.
Well, I got to go.
I love you all, thanks for everything.
Love from,
Sorella DeVocht
07 February 2009
February 4--Yeah Family this is the place!!!
Dear Family,
How are you doing? Thanks for the emails and letters. I love the pictures Becky! Life is pretty good here in good ol' Milano. So I just found out today, from email, that Elder Ford from the area seventy will be visiting our mission this transfer. He will be speaking at our Zone Conference in a few weeks. I am so blessed to have another area seventy on my mission. I am also very blessed to be here in Italy. I was thinking about it last night when we were waiting for our metro, I was thinking about how very blessed I am to be here in Italy, to be able to learn another language, another way of life. I am very, very blessed. I am sending some pictures. Two are from the Duomo, but just inside, I kind of like the confession box, one is outside and it just looks beautiful, and I think the other one is at the Duomo, but outside and not of the Duomo. Today we are going to the Duomo, to the very tip top! I am very excited about that. Well, we are probably leaving soon to go the Duomo!!! I love you all, thanks so much!
Love from Sorella DeVocht
31 January 2009
January 28--Fighting Giants
Cara Family,
Life is good! We received our transfer calls last night and our district will be the exact same this transfer. No changes in our district. I'm actually pretty excited. This is my third transfer in Milano!!! I have officially been in Italy for 6 months, and on my mission for 8 months!!! Oh my how the time goes!!! When Anziano Clove comes into the field, in 6 weeks, I will be going on my sixth transfer!!! And I will have been here for seven and a half months!!! CRAZY!!!!! Thank you Mom for the letters you have written me this month. They have really helped me out a lot. Thanks for the update with little Natalie. How is she doing now? I am glad she is doing alright. And Mom, I would LOVE to receive the monthly ward newsletter each month. I really like this month's, I already read it all. Thank you for the birthday money. I have not yet taken it out because we haven't gone shopping yet. Maybe today, but we will see. Today we are going to the Duomo, and on top, because sad to say I have not even been yet. That will be a lot of fun.
One thing that I am learning, especially that our whole district is the same for another 6 weeks, is that the Lord will always help you in your trials and problems of life, but He will never take them away from you. There are some things that I must do better and with the help of the Lord, overcome these things. I no longer feel depressed, but this isn't like a "good day", I feel like I'm on the path to happiness. I read this really awesome story in an Ensign from 2007. In short, this sister read from the Ensign everyday while waiting for her daughter from school, and she noticed, after some time, that her life began to change. Oh, it is so good. Every time I tell someone about it, I always feel the Spirit, like right now. I really want to do that. Always read good things, the conference talks especially, since I missed a lot of them and didn't understand a lot of them becuase it was all in Italian. I read like 3 or 4 talks the other day and it helped me to be more positive. I love the srciptures, the Ensigns that we have to help us to be better. I remember Mom told us that when she asked Boyd how conference was, he said, "same old, same old." Well, we are humans and we can see in our daily lives how many reminders we have to have for ourselves, even when we do the same things over and over again. We have planners to help us to rememer what we are doing, calendars do the same, we set alarms for us to wake up in the morning, we write ourselves notes and we still sometimes forget. So if we need so many reminders with temporal things, how much more do we need reminders and little nudges for spiritual things? I've noticed in my life that when I am constantly thinking of the Savior, or of good things in general, I remember more to do what Christ would do. A quick experience. When I was working at Subway, for awhile, which I am not sure why, the radio at work was on the KLOVE Christian station for several weeks. And I listened to it a lot at home and I noticed that sometimes I would just start singing a song and it was always about Christ. It really lifted my mood and helped me to remember Christ more.
As I was writing this email, something hit me. We need to be immersed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, reading the things of His prophets and apostles, spiritual and testimony building experiences of others, the scriptures, listening to music that brings us closer to Christ and helps us to remember Him. We do all these things to help us remember Christ so that we CAN remember Him, so that we can better keep our baptismal covenants. When our minds are focused on the Savior, our heart begins to focus on Him and then it is easier to follow Him. But when we are far from Him, and we care more about the world, it is so much harder to remember Him and to know what He would do. What would Jesus do? The prophet and apostles tell us in ever Ensign, every church lesson, everything we do should be focused on the Savior.
I don't want to be one of those missioaries who say, " Well, I served a mission, I served the Lord for awhile, now I can get back to my life. Go back to doing the things I was doing before." But rather, I would like to do all these things to praise God. This reminds me of that movie that we saw, I think it's called Fighting the Giants. I love that movie. I feel the Spirit now just thinking about it. They changed their attitude from playing football for themselves, to playing football to praise God. A couple of weeks ago, I realized that I want to make movies to praise God. Making movies is a very temporal thing, but moives have really helped me to want to be better and to get up and change, they have really changed me, I have felt the Spirit of the Lord in a lot of movies that I have seen. And that's want I want to do. I want to make movies to praise God. Just like in Fighting Giants, it's all for God.
I am really excited for this new transfer, this new start, this new beginning. Even though our district is still all the same, I think this is exactly what I need. We are family. I am excited to change and to do better. A couple of weeks ago when I was getting ready for studies and I was late but this phrase came into my mind, "Repent, and make better choices." That's my phrase now. I say it to myself a lot. I know that the Lord can help me as long as I actually open the door for Him and let Him into my life. I am so grateful to be serving the Lord, Jesus Christ, and His children, my brothers and sisters, to be here on my mission at this precise time in my life. Even during the hard times, it is all worth it. This mission is helping me for my eternal salvation. I read a conference talk the other day by a sister, but I can't remember who, but she said she has a plaque that says, " I can do hard things." But then she said that she would like to change it and say, "With Christ I can do ALL things." That's how I feel too. I love you all and I am grateful for this change coming over me. Thank you all for your love, support, prayers, and thoughts. I love you all and I am looking forward so much, when I will be able to share with you this wonderful time in my life. Until then, God be with you 'til we meet again! I love you!!!!!!!
Love from your Sorella DeVocht
Life is good! We received our transfer calls last night and our district will be the exact same this transfer. No changes in our district. I'm actually pretty excited. This is my third transfer in Milano!!! I have officially been in Italy for 6 months, and on my mission for 8 months!!! Oh my how the time goes!!! When Anziano Clove comes into the field, in 6 weeks, I will be going on my sixth transfer!!! And I will have been here for seven and a half months!!! CRAZY!!!!! Thank you Mom for the letters you have written me this month. They have really helped me out a lot. Thanks for the update with little Natalie. How is she doing now? I am glad she is doing alright. And Mom, I would LOVE to receive the monthly ward newsletter each month. I really like this month's, I already read it all. Thank you for the birthday money. I have not yet taken it out because we haven't gone shopping yet. Maybe today, but we will see. Today we are going to the Duomo, and on top, because sad to say I have not even been yet. That will be a lot of fun.
One thing that I am learning, especially that our whole district is the same for another 6 weeks, is that the Lord will always help you in your trials and problems of life, but He will never take them away from you. There are some things that I must do better and with the help of the Lord, overcome these things. I no longer feel depressed, but this isn't like a "good day", I feel like I'm on the path to happiness. I read this really awesome story in an Ensign from 2007. In short, this sister read from the Ensign everyday while waiting for her daughter from school, and she noticed, after some time, that her life began to change. Oh, it is so good. Every time I tell someone about it, I always feel the Spirit, like right now. I really want to do that. Always read good things, the conference talks especially, since I missed a lot of them and didn't understand a lot of them becuase it was all in Italian. I read like 3 or 4 talks the other day and it helped me to be more positive. I love the srciptures, the Ensigns that we have to help us to be better. I remember Mom told us that when she asked Boyd how conference was, he said, "same old, same old." Well, we are humans and we can see in our daily lives how many reminders we have to have for ourselves, even when we do the same things over and over again. We have planners to help us to rememer what we are doing, calendars do the same, we set alarms for us to wake up in the morning, we write ourselves notes and we still sometimes forget. So if we need so many reminders with temporal things, how much more do we need reminders and little nudges for spiritual things? I've noticed in my life that when I am constantly thinking of the Savior, or of good things in general, I remember more to do what Christ would do. A quick experience. When I was working at Subway, for awhile, which I am not sure why, the radio at work was on the KLOVE Christian station for several weeks. And I listened to it a lot at home and I noticed that sometimes I would just start singing a song and it was always about Christ. It really lifted my mood and helped me to remember Christ more.
As I was writing this email, something hit me. We need to be immersed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, reading the things of His prophets and apostles, spiritual and testimony building experiences of others, the scriptures, listening to music that brings us closer to Christ and helps us to remember Him. We do all these things to help us remember Christ so that we CAN remember Him, so that we can better keep our baptismal covenants. When our minds are focused on the Savior, our heart begins to focus on Him and then it is easier to follow Him. But when we are far from Him, and we care more about the world, it is so much harder to remember Him and to know what He would do. What would Jesus do? The prophet and apostles tell us in ever Ensign, every church lesson, everything we do should be focused on the Savior.
I don't want to be one of those missioaries who say, " Well, I served a mission, I served the Lord for awhile, now I can get back to my life. Go back to doing the things I was doing before." But rather, I would like to do all these things to praise God. This reminds me of that movie that we saw, I think it's called Fighting the Giants. I love that movie. I feel the Spirit now just thinking about it. They changed their attitude from playing football for themselves, to playing football to praise God. A couple of weeks ago, I realized that I want to make movies to praise God. Making movies is a very temporal thing, but moives have really helped me to want to be better and to get up and change, they have really changed me, I have felt the Spirit of the Lord in a lot of movies that I have seen. And that's want I want to do. I want to make movies to praise God. Just like in Fighting Giants, it's all for God.
I am really excited for this new transfer, this new start, this new beginning. Even though our district is still all the same, I think this is exactly what I need. We are family. I am excited to change and to do better. A couple of weeks ago when I was getting ready for studies and I was late but this phrase came into my mind, "Repent, and make better choices." That's my phrase now. I say it to myself a lot. I know that the Lord can help me as long as I actually open the door for Him and let Him into my life. I am so grateful to be serving the Lord, Jesus Christ, and His children, my brothers and sisters, to be here on my mission at this precise time in my life. Even during the hard times, it is all worth it. This mission is helping me for my eternal salvation. I read a conference talk the other day by a sister, but I can't remember who, but she said she has a plaque that says, " I can do hard things." But then she said that she would like to change it and say, "With Christ I can do ALL things." That's how I feel too. I love you all and I am grateful for this change coming over me. Thank you all for your love, support, prayers, and thoughts. I love you all and I am looking forward so much, when I will be able to share with you this wonderful time in my life. Until then, God be with you 'til we meet again! I love you!!!!!!!
Love from your Sorella DeVocht
January 21--mY eNgLiSh Is OuT tHe WiNdOw!!!!!!!!!
Dear Family,
Hey how's it going?!?!? Life here in Milano is pretty good. Transfers is next week, so we'll see if I'm still here in Milano! I hope so. But, I will go wherever the Lord wants me to go. I just got an email from my trainer, Sorella Harris, she goes home next week!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it. I love her so much. I will be eternally grateful for her for training me to be a missionary now, and a missionary for life. We had Interviews on Monday and it was fantastic. I learned a lot, a lot of things to add and to change in my missionary life. One of the things I learned on Monday is about Italian. As long as I dive into the culture and love the people with all my heart, my Italian will be fine. I liked that a lot. I included a picture of me. This is what I look like pretty much of the time : )
Well, I'm doing a lot better and that reminds me. Mom I received my birthday letter that you sent on 12 Jan and I received it on 17 Jan. Thanks so much!!!
Well, I don't really have much else to say, so I will good bye. I love you all. Thank you for your prayers and love and support. I love you!!!
Love Sorella DeVocht
Reporting LIVE from Milano 2
Hey how's it going?!?!? Life here in Milano is pretty good. Transfers is next week, so we'll see if I'm still here in Milano! I hope so. But, I will go wherever the Lord wants me to go. I just got an email from my trainer, Sorella Harris, she goes home next week!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it. I love her so much. I will be eternally grateful for her for training me to be a missionary now, and a missionary for life. We had Interviews on Monday and it was fantastic. I learned a lot, a lot of things to add and to change in my missionary life. One of the things I learned on Monday is about Italian. As long as I dive into the culture and love the people with all my heart, my Italian will be fine. I liked that a lot. I included a picture of me. This is what I look like pretty much of the time : )
Well, I'm doing a lot better and that reminds me. Mom I received my birthday letter that you sent on 12 Jan and I received it on 17 Jan. Thanks so much!!!
Well, I don't really have much else to say, so I will good bye. I love you all. Thank you for your prayers and love and support. I love you!!!
Love Sorella DeVocht
Reporting LIVE from Milano 2
20 January 2009
January 14--Auguri!!!
Cara famiglia!
Ciao!!! Come state? Non lo so perchè, ma voglio scrivere in Italiano. Io so che voi non potete capire Italiano, ma solo mi sento come io devo scrivere in Italiano. E' stranissimo, lo so. Che cosa io posso fare? Boh! Ho sentito di Natalie!!! Che bella!!! Sono contenta per loro. E sicurramente, io posso pregare per Natalie. Sono una missionaria e io prego sempre, per tutti, sembra a volte. Ma, mi piace. Abbiamo finito il scambio, e tutte le sorelle a Milano, ci siamo 6, abbiamo incontrato a casa di Milano 3 e abbiamo mangiato and parlato e era bellissima. Sorella Purpari, lei è Italiana, e lei poù cucinare bravissima!!! Mama mia!!! Ho pensato di una cosa. Forse io non posso espirimi in inglese e è meglio per me di scrivere in Italiano. Ma questo non vi serve. Perchè il mio Italiano non è perfetto e tutti voi non potete capire Italiano. Ma forse Evangelina. E anche quelli chi conoscono spanish. Boh, non lo so. Mi dispiace la mia famiglia; voglio che voi mi capite, ma anche voglio scrivere in Italiano. E anche, io penso che io non potere scrivere in inglese questa settimana. Ma diro alcune cose in inglese.
Mom, the Relief Society president in our ward wants to know what kind of activites you do for RS. Could you write about them and send them to me? She would appreicate it a lot, as would I. Also, I recevied 2 letters from you yesterday, the 13th. One that was postmarked the 5th and the other the 7th. But the 5th one was opened, but everything was in there, I think. And I love the Charity quote. I actually have a copy of it that I got from an Elder, but it's nice to have two because I love it so much!!! : ) Also, I am responding to your letters because I feel the mancanza, I don't really know how to say that in English that would serve it justice. I guess it would be, missing. There is something missing, and it is writing to you! As for my birthday, : ) All I want is to buy a smaller bag. Because I end up caring around half the house with me. ; ) I haven't bought long johns yet and I don't know what to do about it. Do you think that you could send some? If it's too much, I'll just toughen up. I already have in fact. The weather here sometimes reminds me of Iowa and I feel happy because it's kind of like I am home but not at the same time. I like it a lot. : ) There is a sister here, Sorella Ramussen, and she is awesome!!! I did scambi with her Monday night, all day Tuesday, and then this morning. She reminds me SO MUCH OF JENNY!!!!! Jenny! Do you know a Elizabeth/Liz Ramussen? She said that you also looked very familiar. She thought maybe at an EFY. I forget, did you ever go to those?
CONGRATULATIONS AMY AND BEN!!! That is so exciting! I am going to tell the world about my new little neice!!! And certainly I will pray for her.
I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than here right now in my life. I love you all and I am so grateful for all your prayers and help and love. Vi voglio un sacco di bene!!!
I'm sorry that this email is kind of strange, and random thoughts pouring out on to the page, and that half of it is in Italian! I couldn't express those things in English. I hope you will be able to understand it...somehow. : )
I love you all!!!
Love Sorella DeVocht
Ciao!!! Come state? Non lo so perchè, ma voglio scrivere in Italiano. Io so che voi non potete capire Italiano, ma solo mi sento come io devo scrivere in Italiano. E' stranissimo, lo so. Che cosa io posso fare? Boh! Ho sentito di Natalie!!! Che bella!!! Sono contenta per loro. E sicurramente, io posso pregare per Natalie. Sono una missionaria e io prego sempre, per tutti, sembra a volte. Ma, mi piace. Abbiamo finito il scambio, e tutte le sorelle a Milano, ci siamo 6, abbiamo incontrato a casa di Milano 3 e abbiamo mangiato and parlato e era bellissima. Sorella Purpari, lei è Italiana, e lei poù cucinare bravissima!!! Mama mia!!! Ho pensato di una cosa. Forse io non posso espirimi in inglese e è meglio per me di scrivere in Italiano. Ma questo non vi serve. Perchè il mio Italiano non è perfetto e tutti voi non potete capire Italiano. Ma forse Evangelina. E anche quelli chi conoscono spanish. Boh, non lo so. Mi dispiace la mia famiglia; voglio che voi mi capite, ma anche voglio scrivere in Italiano. E anche, io penso che io non potere scrivere in inglese questa settimana. Ma diro alcune cose in inglese.
Mom, the Relief Society president in our ward wants to know what kind of activites you do for RS. Could you write about them and send them to me? She would appreicate it a lot, as would I. Also, I recevied 2 letters from you yesterday, the 13th. One that was postmarked the 5th and the other the 7th. But the 5th one was opened, but everything was in there, I think. And I love the Charity quote. I actually have a copy of it that I got from an Elder, but it's nice to have two because I love it so much!!! : ) Also, I am responding to your letters because I feel the mancanza, I don't really know how to say that in English that would serve it justice. I guess it would be, missing. There is something missing, and it is writing to you! As for my birthday, : ) All I want is to buy a smaller bag. Because I end up caring around half the house with me. ; ) I haven't bought long johns yet and I don't know what to do about it. Do you think that you could send some? If it's too much, I'll just toughen up. I already have in fact. The weather here sometimes reminds me of Iowa and I feel happy because it's kind of like I am home but not at the same time. I like it a lot. : ) There is a sister here, Sorella Ramussen, and she is awesome!!! I did scambi with her Monday night, all day Tuesday, and then this morning. She reminds me SO MUCH OF JENNY!!!!! Jenny! Do you know a Elizabeth/Liz Ramussen? She said that you also looked very familiar. She thought maybe at an EFY. I forget, did you ever go to those?
CONGRATULATIONS AMY AND BEN!!! That is so exciting! I am going to tell the world about my new little neice!!! And certainly I will pray for her.
I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than here right now in my life. I love you all and I am so grateful for all your prayers and help and love. Vi voglio un sacco di bene!!!
I'm sorry that this email is kind of strange, and random thoughts pouring out on to the page, and that half of it is in Italian! I couldn't express those things in English. I hope you will be able to understand it...somehow. : )
I love you all!!!
Love Sorella DeVocht
January 8--"Give," said the little stream
Dear Family,
I feel like I change so much every time I email home. That so much happens in between the time I emailed you until the next week. We had a superb Zone Conference and it was just what I needed. I am excited for the things that are happening in my life now. Maybe they're not all suns and flowers, but in the end they will be.
Oh yeah! I just remembered!!! Mom, I received your packages yesterday at ZC. the blue package,and then the Christmas treats. I wasn't expecting those!!!! THank you so much!!! I LOVE the peanut butter cups. it felt like Christmas from home was with for a little bit. Thank you much. And I also got a letter from Emily on Monday I think. Thanks also for all the notes and drawings from the Ward, I love it.
I know all of you pray for me but I ask you to pray for me to get over this sickness that I have and that I can get this infusion of spiritual oxygen and run faster. I love you all!!!!
I want to write more, but we have to go grocery shopping and I slept a lot today becuase I am sick. Well, I hope you all have a great week!!!
I love you lots and I am thankful for all your prayers!!!! I know I am not alone in this work.
Love from,
Sorella DeVocht
P.S. I know this is where the Lord wants me to be, this is what the Lord wants me to be doing. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than here on my mission serving the Lord and His Children. I love you all. May God Bless you!!!
I feel like I change so much every time I email home. That so much happens in between the time I emailed you until the next week. We had a superb Zone Conference and it was just what I needed. I am excited for the things that are happening in my life now. Maybe they're not all suns and flowers, but in the end they will be.
Oh yeah! I just remembered!!! Mom, I received your packages yesterday at ZC. the blue package,and then the Christmas treats. I wasn't expecting those!!!! THank you so much!!! I LOVE the peanut butter cups. it felt like Christmas from home was with for a little bit. Thank you much. And I also got a letter from Emily on Monday I think. Thanks also for all the notes and drawings from the Ward, I love it.
I know all of you pray for me but I ask you to pray for me to get over this sickness that I have and that I can get this infusion of spiritual oxygen and run faster. I love you all!!!!
I want to write more, but we have to go grocery shopping and I slept a lot today becuase I am sick. Well, I hope you all have a great week!!!
I love you lots and I am thankful for all your prayers!!!! I know I am not alone in this work.
Love from,
Sorella DeVocht
P.S. I know this is where the Lord wants me to be, this is what the Lord wants me to be doing. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than here on my mission serving the Lord and His Children. I love you all. May God Bless you!!!
December 31--Buon'anno nuovo!!! Felice 2009!!!
Ciao Family,
Well I know I sounded happy and alright on Christmas, I was, but I am defintely having quite a gloomy spell. I was having an experiment with Sorella Dunaway and then Christmas messed it up and then I got sick and I'm still sick, so I have to wait until I overcome this sickness before I try her experiment again. Sorella Glass called Sorella Dunaway on Friday because my throat was really bothering me and this is what Sorella Dunaway told her to tell me: Basically I'm sitting on the fence post. And little things, good little things, bring me closer to the pasture; and little bad things, take be farther away. The devil wants me to fall off the fence post and that's why he's throwing all this stuff at me: depression, sickness, etc. Sorella Dunaway told me to not lose hope. This may be a dark and difficult time in my life right now, but as long as I don't lose hope, that's what matters the most.
On a more happier note, the Italian culture is getting inside of me. Today we bought a little cart that a lot of Italians use for grocery shopping. And we bought a tablecloth to put on our table and we have a bowl with our fruit in it and I don't know, but I just feel lately, this desire and almost obligation to do things the way Italians do. I don't know what it is. I can't really describe it. And it's just starting too. I guess you'll be able to know when I come home and I continue doing these things. Oh I love Italy!!!!! It really is becoming apart of me and I of it. My friend, Sorella Purpari is helping me a lot. I told you about her on Christmas.
I just wrote an awesome email and then it didn't send and I lost it. This makes me so mad. Well, I guess I didn't lose as much as I thought I did. I have to be quick now, so I won't be able to write everything that I did before:
Fence post, little things pull me each way. it's so true. just loosing the email i wrote you makes me sad when i was happy but a minute earlier.
Well we are going bowling soon.
my voice is also really scratchy and sometimes when i'm talking it just goes out and i start whispering. Anziano Elkins laughed at me during District meeting because of it. but heck, i would too.
Well i love you all and i really appriceatite it when you write me spiritual experiences. It helps me - a lot. So much. thank you so much. sometimes i get homesick but then i remember that when i return home i will have the best family in the world to tell ALL my adventures with.
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Love,
Sorella DeVocht
Well I know I sounded happy and alright on Christmas, I was, but I am defintely having quite a gloomy spell. I was having an experiment with Sorella Dunaway and then Christmas messed it up and then I got sick and I'm still sick, so I have to wait until I overcome this sickness before I try her experiment again. Sorella Glass called Sorella Dunaway on Friday because my throat was really bothering me and this is what Sorella Dunaway told her to tell me: Basically I'm sitting on the fence post. And little things, good little things, bring me closer to the pasture; and little bad things, take be farther away. The devil wants me to fall off the fence post and that's why he's throwing all this stuff at me: depression, sickness, etc. Sorella Dunaway told me to not lose hope. This may be a dark and difficult time in my life right now, but as long as I don't lose hope, that's what matters the most.
On a more happier note, the Italian culture is getting inside of me. Today we bought a little cart that a lot of Italians use for grocery shopping. And we bought a tablecloth to put on our table and we have a bowl with our fruit in it and I don't know, but I just feel lately, this desire and almost obligation to do things the way Italians do. I don't know what it is. I can't really describe it. And it's just starting too. I guess you'll be able to know when I come home and I continue doing these things. Oh I love Italy!!!!! It really is becoming apart of me and I of it. My friend, Sorella Purpari is helping me a lot. I told you about her on Christmas.
I just wrote an awesome email and then it didn't send and I lost it. This makes me so mad. Well, I guess I didn't lose as much as I thought I did. I have to be quick now, so I won't be able to write everything that I did before:
Fence post, little things pull me each way. it's so true. just loosing the email i wrote you makes me sad when i was happy but a minute earlier.
Well we are going bowling soon.
my voice is also really scratchy and sometimes when i'm talking it just goes out and i start whispering. Anziano Elkins laughed at me during District meeting because of it. but heck, i would too.
Well i love you all and i really appriceatite it when you write me spiritual experiences. It helps me - a lot. So much. thank you so much. sometimes i get homesick but then i remember that when i return home i will have the best family in the world to tell ALL my adventures with.
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Love,
Sorella DeVocht
24 December 2008
How are you? How is life? How is everyone doing? I am SO EXCITED to talk to all of you tomorrow!!!!!!! I am so happy right now. Happy doesn't even describe how I feel. I am joyous. That's a good word. Speaking of which, I will probably be calling home at 4pm here which is 9am your time.
I would really like to write all of you individually, but we don't have much time now. Yikes!!!! But I will get to talk to y'all tomorrow!!!!! I bought a phone card and I was wondering if we can do 3-way call with it or what we are going to do? Because I would like to talk to Becky in Michigan. Sorry if my spelling sucks, I'm kind of having a hard time with it today. Anyways.
Yes Amy I did receive your WONDERFUL package!!!! I'm sorry I did not say anything about it earlier, I forget so many things, including my name. Just kidding. But I received it at Interviews which was 3 or 4 weeks ago. We opened it that night and it was cool because it was exactly one month away.
Thanks for the pictures and the thoughts Amy, they really made me smile. Which is something I have to be doing these days. Strict orders from Sister Dunaway.
Sorella Glass received a email from a friend that was about the Nephite Christmas. I read that and then read the actual story in the Book of Mormon. It really opened my eyes to what Christmas is really about. It's about receiving. Receving Christ into our lives. For the Nephites, they received the prophecies of Sameul the Lamanite, they received Christ as their Savior. And that is the true Spirit of Christmas, receiving Christ as our King and our Savior, the Son of God, who is here to free us from our sins and make us clean.
I love you all!!!
Love Sorella DeVocht
I would really like to write all of you individually, but we don't have much time now. Yikes!!!! But I will get to talk to y'all tomorrow!!!!! I bought a phone card and I was wondering if we can do 3-way call with it or what we are going to do? Because I would like to talk to Becky in Michigan. Sorry if my spelling sucks, I'm kind of having a hard time with it today. Anyways.
Yes Amy I did receive your WONDERFUL package!!!! I'm sorry I did not say anything about it earlier, I forget so many things, including my name. Just kidding. But I received it at Interviews which was 3 or 4 weeks ago. We opened it that night and it was cool because it was exactly one month away.
Thanks for the pictures and the thoughts Amy, they really made me smile. Which is something I have to be doing these days. Strict orders from Sister Dunaway.
Sorella Glass received a email from a friend that was about the Nephite Christmas. I read that and then read the actual story in the Book of Mormon. It really opened my eyes to what Christmas is really about. It's about receiving. Receving Christ into our lives. For the Nephites, they received the prophecies of Sameul the Lamanite, they received Christ as their Savior. And that is the true Spirit of Christmas, receiving Christ as our King and our Savior, the Son of God, who is here to free us from our sins and make us clean.
I love you all!!!
Love Sorella DeVocht
December 23--HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!
Dear Family,
Hi how are all of you? I can not even believe that it is Christmas next week!!! It doesn't even feel like it. But I guess that is good because it means that I am very busy, I don't know. We received our transfer calls last night and Sorella Glass and I will be together for another transfer. But, Anziano Pfeiffer is opening a companionship and he's training! Then Anziano Elkins and Anziano Boshell are companions. I'm really glad that I will be here for another transfer. I really like Milano. It's not as beautiful as Genova is, but I love it. I don't know what it is about it that I love it so much. Also, I'm getting better at the metros, which we take EVERY day unless there is a strike, which are frequent. Life is doing better, is going well. Both Sorella Glass and I are finding out that missionary work is getting easier. I am finding out that talkinig to others is getting easier too. Talking to people and finding those who are ready for the gospel, finding those who the Lord is preparing. Sometimes I'll just compliment someone on their clothes or say hello, it's cold, or something, and then we stop and talk for a few minutes. I think I'm the hardest with myself because I think I'm been a certain way for such a long time that I do really believe that I can change. Me? talk to strangers? in italian? what is this? but I am learning a lot. When I think of the Lord and those I feel inspired to talk with, it doesn't matter that I 'used' to be a shy girl, I'm starting to not be one anymore.
The work here is great too, but the Elders don't really have much work, that's why they opened another companionship, there used to be a 3 some. I'm always looking for people for the Elders though. It's kind of funny.
Well, we're going to head out now. Chinese stores and cartalerie are my weak points. And by the way, I am not going to use my personal account for awhile now. I'm paying myself back.
We contacted a referral yesterday, she is studying with the Jehovah Witnesses, this will be interesting. I'm excited and ready to help her know the truth for herself.
Well, I'll hear from you next week.
Ciao Bacci Vi voglio bene!!!
Sorella DeVocht
Hi how are all of you? I can not even believe that it is Christmas next week!!! It doesn't even feel like it. But I guess that is good because it means that I am very busy, I don't know. We received our transfer calls last night and Sorella Glass and I will be together for another transfer. But, Anziano Pfeiffer is opening a companionship and he's training! Then Anziano Elkins and Anziano Boshell are companions. I'm really glad that I will be here for another transfer. I really like Milano. It's not as beautiful as Genova is, but I love it. I don't know what it is about it that I love it so much. Also, I'm getting better at the metros, which we take EVERY day unless there is a strike, which are frequent. Life is doing better, is going well. Both Sorella Glass and I are finding out that missionary work is getting easier. I am finding out that talkinig to others is getting easier too. Talking to people and finding those who are ready for the gospel, finding those who the Lord is preparing. Sometimes I'll just compliment someone on their clothes or say hello, it's cold, or something, and then we stop and talk for a few minutes. I think I'm the hardest with myself because I think I'm been a certain way for such a long time that I do really believe that I can change. Me? talk to strangers? in italian? what is this? but I am learning a lot. When I think of the Lord and those I feel inspired to talk with, it doesn't matter that I 'used' to be a shy girl, I'm starting to not be one anymore.
The work here is great too, but the Elders don't really have much work, that's why they opened another companionship, there used to be a 3 some. I'm always looking for people for the Elders though. It's kind of funny.
Well, we're going to head out now. Chinese stores and cartalerie are my weak points. And by the way, I am not going to use my personal account for awhile now. I'm paying myself back.
We contacted a referral yesterday, she is studying with the Jehovah Witnesses, this will be interesting. I'm excited and ready to help her know the truth for herself.
Well, I'll hear from you next week.
Ciao Bacci Vi voglio bene!!!
Sorella DeVocht
December 11--Buon Natale!!!
Dear Family,
How is everyone? Thank you Mom and Emily for your packages!!! I received them yesterday at Zone Conference!!! And guess what? I am sending a package home to you!!! Just a little something for Christmas. Also, next week I will be sending pictures via email. I would today but I do not have any batteries in my camera. The transfer is almost over and Christmas is here soon and the old year is almost dead and the new year is waiting to come.
Guess what? Today at the supermarket, Sorella Glass found a book and I bought it. And it is The Tales of Beedle the Bard!!! By J. K. Rowling!!! It's the book from Harry Potter 7 that Hermonie Granger translated. I love it!!! Well, it is in italian and I don't understand it, but that is better becasue I will put it away and never look at it until I arrive home. But I would also like to buy one in English when I return home. Guess what else? They had the 4th and 5th Harry Potter books at the supermarket. That is one thing that I am going to invest in towards the end of my mission, Harry Potter books!!! So when I return home, I can read them and keep my language up and even learn more Italian. Seeing that book and buying that book really made my day and got me so excited.
Today is my 6 month mark!!! I have been on my mission for a whole 6 months!!! You know what that means?!?!? 1 year left!!!! But this gives me motivation more than anything else.
Well, we got to go now
I love you all
This has been
Sorella DeVocht
Reporting live from Milano
Love,
Sorella DeVocht
How is everyone? Thank you Mom and Emily for your packages!!! I received them yesterday at Zone Conference!!! And guess what? I am sending a package home to you!!! Just a little something for Christmas. Also, next week I will be sending pictures via email. I would today but I do not have any batteries in my camera. The transfer is almost over and Christmas is here soon and the old year is almost dead and the new year is waiting to come.
Guess what? Today at the supermarket, Sorella Glass found a book and I bought it. And it is The Tales of Beedle the Bard!!! By J. K. Rowling!!! It's the book from Harry Potter 7 that Hermonie Granger translated. I love it!!! Well, it is in italian and I don't understand it, but that is better becasue I will put it away and never look at it until I arrive home. But I would also like to buy one in English when I return home. Guess what else? They had the 4th and 5th Harry Potter books at the supermarket. That is one thing that I am going to invest in towards the end of my mission, Harry Potter books!!! So when I return home, I can read them and keep my language up and even learn more Italian. Seeing that book and buying that book really made my day and got me so excited.
Today is my 6 month mark!!! I have been on my mission for a whole 6 months!!! You know what that means?!?!? 1 year left!!!! But this gives me motivation more than anything else.
Well, we got to go now
I love you all
This has been
Sorella DeVocht
Reporting live from Milano
Love,
Sorella DeVocht
3 December 2008
Dear Family,
Sorry for the depressing emails of late. I guess they were describing how I was feeling at the time. Depressed? Sad and alone?
Anyways...
In 8 days it will be my 6 month mark!!! Time flies doesn't it? Over these past few days of hardship, I was thinking, and thinking about how fast my mission really is going to be. This transfer is close to being over. Ok, a little layout thingy of this transfer
Week 1: District Meeting
Week 2: District Meeting, Scambi (Companion Exchange)
Week 3: Interviews, Scambi again, only because Sorella Glass was sick
Week 4: District Meeting
Week 5: Zone Conference
Week 6: TRANSFERS!!!
I don't know if this layout thing makes any sense to anyone, but this is why time seems to go by so fast to me. Because you look forward to these bigger things and then before you know it.... "YOU'RE GOING HOME!!!" (The Best Two Years)
I made Death by Chocolate, Italian style as Sorella Glass called it, on Monday for District meeting, which we had yesterday because we thought there was a strike on Monday, but there was not. But the Elders loved it!!! The death by chocolate, not the strike. I made it differently though. Here is what I used:
***Itallian chocolate cake mix which I put chunks of milk chocolate candy bar in which got burnt to the bottom of the pan
***Chocolate mousse
***Whipping cream - that I made!!! and then I added sugar to it
***Crushed up Tronky bars
It was pretty good, but I think the next time I make this, I will not use the Tronky bars, some more chocolatety. :) Because I love chocolate!!!
Just as we were starting doing email, Anziano Pfeifer called and asked me for the recipe! He said that they are going to make it this week. They really did love it :) When I brought it in, with like a millon bags over it, they were all eyeing it and wanting to know what it was. Because on Saturday I think, I has asked them if any of them had a problem with chocolate. It appears not.
Today is already P-Day!!! And then tomorrow we have FHE, then Friday is Planning and guess what else???? We are going to District Finding Work!!!! I am so excited!!! I love finding work even though I get scared a lot. But I am so stoked for this Friday afternoon of evening, I am not sure when we are doing it. But I'm stoked!!! And then it's Sunday, and then Monday, Tuesday, and then Wednesday is Zone Conference!!! ANd then it just gets faster from then on.
Well, I got to go now, sorry for the short, weird, random, email, but hey, this is me !!!! Sono un po' cosi :)
This has been
Sorella DeVocht
Reporting live from Milano
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry for the depressing emails of late. I guess they were describing how I was feeling at the time. Depressed? Sad and alone?
Anyways...
In 8 days it will be my 6 month mark!!! Time flies doesn't it? Over these past few days of hardship, I was thinking, and thinking about how fast my mission really is going to be. This transfer is close to being over. Ok, a little layout thingy of this transfer
Week 1: District Meeting
Week 2: District Meeting, Scambi (Companion Exchange)
Week 3: Interviews, Scambi again, only because Sorella Glass was sick
Week 4: District Meeting
Week 5: Zone Conference
Week 6: TRANSFERS!!!
I don't know if this layout thing makes any sense to anyone, but this is why time seems to go by so fast to me. Because you look forward to these bigger things and then before you know it.... "YOU'RE GOING HOME!!!" (The Best Two Years)
I made Death by Chocolate, Italian style as Sorella Glass called it, on Monday for District meeting, which we had yesterday because we thought there was a strike on Monday, but there was not. But the Elders loved it!!! The death by chocolate, not the strike. I made it differently though. Here is what I used:
***Itallian chocolate cake mix which I put chunks of milk chocolate candy bar in which got burnt to the bottom of the pan
***Chocolate mousse
***Whipping cream - that I made!!! and then I added sugar to it
***Crushed up Tronky bars
It was pretty good, but I think the next time I make this, I will not use the Tronky bars, some more chocolatety. :) Because I love chocolate!!!
Just as we were starting doing email, Anziano Pfeifer called and asked me for the recipe! He said that they are going to make it this week. They really did love it :) When I brought it in, with like a millon bags over it, they were all eyeing it and wanting to know what it was. Because on Saturday I think, I has asked them if any of them had a problem with chocolate. It appears not.
Today is already P-Day!!! And then tomorrow we have FHE, then Friday is Planning and guess what else???? We are going to District Finding Work!!!! I am so excited!!! I love finding work even though I get scared a lot. But I am so stoked for this Friday afternoon of evening, I am not sure when we are doing it. But I'm stoked!!! And then it's Sunday, and then Monday, Tuesday, and then Wednesday is Zone Conference!!! ANd then it just gets faster from then on.
Well, I got to go now, sorry for the short, weird, random, email, but hey, this is me !!!! Sono un po' cosi :)
This has been
Sorella DeVocht
Reporting live from Milano
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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