Thursday December 31, 2020
I don't have much to report for this last week. We had a couple of days where we were able to go to the Visitor Center and do virtual tours but for the most of the time we have still been on lockdown.
Hope everyone has a wonderful New Year!
Ciao
Sorella Acton
Friday December 25, 2020
It has been another wonderful week! We were able to attend and sing at two baptisms and it was Christmas. The whole country was put on lockdown for the week of Christmas and New Year's, not exactly what we were planning but we still had fun. We spent most of the time in our apartment. However, Christmas morning we were able to go and have breakfast with a Senior Missionary couple. They were missing being at home with all of their kids and we were missing our families; we all enjoyed it! It was great to call the family and virtually be a part of some of their gift opening.
Love and miss you all. Merry Christmas!
Sorella Acton
Esther's Baptism, what a special day!
Emma's Baptism (she's the 8 year old
that we taught to prepare her for baptism)
She asked the four of us to sing at her baptism
The temple at sunset
Merry Christmas from our apartment!
(quarantine hair fun)
Wednesday December 16, 2020
This last week was really, really good!
We had a lot of tours at the Visitor Center and we had Mission Leadership Conference with our Mission President. Then we had a mission wide devotional with him as well. For this year, back in January before covid hit, as a mission we made a goal to have 220 baptisms. Even with the Pandemic, we were able to get up to 66 but then the month of December was upon us and we were still short, by a lot. The leadership of the mission talked about it and they decided that since we have been talking so much about genealogy and family history work they really felt that we should include that in order to reach our goal this year; to add in our family history work as well. We've been working with new converts and less actives to help them learn about family history work. All the names we find through genealogy that need ordinances done, then they will be names that count towards our goal for 220. It is super cool that they added the genealogy element for our goal. As a mission, we have been working really, really hard this last week on genealogy. We went from 66 baptisms at the beginning of the week up to a hundred and ninety-six. As of right now, we have about 70 live baptisms that have taken place during the year and all the rest, up to 196, are names that will be able to be brought to the temple for baptisms for the dead once the temple opens again. We are really close to meeting our goal of 220 and we still have until the end of December. We've been working really hard on that and we have seen a lot of miracles. It has been so awesome. It's actually really cool because, as we've heard from the Apostles and the Prophet in the last General Conference, the work of salvation and the gathering of Israel is on both sides of the veil. We are working hard together as a mission for baptisms on both sides of the veil and it is a wonderful feeling!
I've also been working a lot in the Visitor Center this past week.
On Sunday our investigator, Esther, came to church with us and had her baptismal interview. There is one more interview that she needs to have with our Mission President and if all goes well with that, which it should, she will be getting baptized on Saturday. We are super, super excited about that and we are really hoping that everything works out for her. We've seen miracles as we have worked with her.
This week I had an interview with my Mission President. During my interview he told me that my "greenie", new missionary, would be arriving this week(she actually arrived yesterday). She is from America and the protocol is that all those coming from America have to be in quarantine for two weeks upon arrival. When he told me that she was coming I was super, super excited but also sad because I knew I would have to go into quarantine. I knew we had these baptisms planned(Esther and the 8 year old girl we had taught the lessons to), some Christmas plans, and some plans with our ward so it made me really sad to think about missing out on all of that. As my interview continued, President told me that he would be having another Sister Missionary quarantine with both her greenie and my greenie because he needed me at the Visitor Center to help with all the tours there. Also because we are getting new directors of the Visitor Center and he needed my help with that transition. And also because I am the driver for our area. He said that he couldn't afford to have me in quarantine so another Sister Missionary would be helping with that and I will receive my "greenie" when she is done with her quarantine. That was a HUGE blessing from the Lord, I am so grateful!! I get to be there for Esther's baptism and for the baptism for the member girl who turned 8 in November and we taught all the lessons to(she asked us to sing a song at her baptism). And I'll be able to be out for Christmas and all of that and all of the activities we have planned with our ward. I am extremely grateful for that and so excited!
I'm nervous to be a trainer and receive a new missionary that I don't know, but I'm also excited and praying that everything will go well.
My companion that I've had for the last two weeks is leaving for home today and so I will now be companions with the Sister Missionary who was companions with the Sister President is going to have quarantine with the new missionaries.
This week has gone really well and I am really happy!
There is something that I wanted to share from my studies this week. I've been studying from a book that my twin brother, Marc, gave me for my birthday entitled "The Infinite Atonement." I read a story that I want to share with you all;
"Elder Von J. Featherstone tells of a young man who came to him for a mission interview. Elder Featherstone inquired as to the man's transgressions. In a haughty manner the young man replied, "There isn't anything I haven't done." Elder Featherstone inquired as to the specifics; morals, drugs, and so on. Again, he replied; "I told you, I have done everything." Elder Featherstone asked, "What makes you think you are going on a mission?" "Because I have repented," came the reply. "I haven't done any of these things for a year." Elder Featherstone then looked at the young man across the table, 21 years of age, sarcastic, haughty, and with an attitude far removed from sincere repentance. "My dear young friend," he said, "I'm sorry to tell you this, but you are not going on a mission. You shouldn't have been ordained an Elder and you really should have been tried for your membership in the church. What you have committed is a series of monumental transgressions. You haven't repented, you've just stopped doing something. Someday, after you have been to Gethsemane and back, you will understand what true repentance is." At this the young man started to cry, it lasted for about 5 minutes. There was no exchange of words, only silence. Then he left Elder Featherstone's office. About 6 months later, Elder Featherstone was speaking to an institute group in Arizona. Following the meeting, he saw this same young man walking up the isle towards him and the details of their interview flashed through his mind. Elder Featherstone reached down from the podium to shake his hand. As the young man looked up, Elder Featherstone could see that something wonderful had taken place in his life. Tears streamed down the young man's cheeks and an almost holy glow came from his countenance. "You've been there, haven't you?" asked Elder Featherstone. Through the tears he said, "yes, Bishop Featherstone. I've been to Gethsemane and back." "I know," Elder Featherstone replied,"it shows in your face. I believe that the Lord has forgiven you."
When I read this I just felt the spirit so strongly because the Atonement of Jesus Christ is something that means a lot to me. I have a very strong testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and this story really hit home for me. When I came home from my mission for those six months it was really hard, it tried my faith, but I can say that I have been to Gethsemane and back. I am just so grateful for my Savior and for all that He has done for me. I am so grateful for the person I am today because of Him and for the blessing of the Atonement. I know that our lives truly can be changed because of Him and that's why I'm here on a mission; to try and help others gain a knowledge of that as well.
I love you all so much!! Hopefully I will have some more fun things to tell you next week. I hope you are doing well and that you will have a wonderful holiday season.
Ciao, ciao!!
Sorella Acton
Wednesday December 9, 2020
This week was a lot of the same, except for one beautiful blessing! Since I am the Sister Training Leader, I do all of the scheduling of the tours for the Visitor Center. I noticed there was a tour scheduled from Palermo. I asked the other VC Sorelle if they would mind if I did the tour because I served in Palermo for the first 5 months of my mission. I was so excited I could barely stand it. Imagine my surprise when I logged on and saw that it was my Bishop and his wife! They had scheduled a tour with his brother and his brother's wife. This was such a tender mercy because I spent last Christmas with Bishop, his wife, his brother and his brother's wife and their family. They made my Christmas so special! It was so fun doing a tour for them and I felt the spirit strongly. The Bishop's brother and his brother's wife are not members of the Church, so it was extra special to be able to bear testimony of the Savior to them, in Italian. Another exciting part of the experience was that when I was in Palermo, I was still trying to learn Italian and it was really difficult for me to understand what people were saying, especially my Bishop. But during the tour I could understand all of them perfectly!!
I am so grateful for my Father in Heaven and His loving, and tender mercies!!
Sorella Acton
Wednesday December 2, 2020
This week was a really long and crazy week! They switched out p-days from Monday to Wednesdays from now on. So, we had an extra long week this week. And on top of that we were packed full of tours this week. Every single day we had 7 tours. It was wonderful but also difficult at times because we barely had time to make and eat lunch. The week went really bast but it felt like it lasted forever at the same time. However, we had a lot of good experiences.
We had the last lesson with a young girl we have been preparing for baptism and their family is just incredible. She asked us if we would sing at her baptism so we are really excited about that. We also have an investigator on baptismal date for the 19th of December so we are really excited for that as well. Everything has been going really well with her. We had transfer calls on Monday and I am staying here at the Visitor Center in the Rome 5 area as the Sister Training Leader, but I will have a new companion for two weeks until she goes home. Then, if everything goes well with new missionaries coming into the mission, I will be receiving a "greenie", a new missionary! I am praying that all that works out so I can have a companion through Christmas.
I can't believe it's already December! I only have 3 months of my mission left, so I am trying to enjoy ever single second even when times are difficult. I am so grateful for the Visitor Center, the girls I served with this last transfer and for the Lord's hand in my life! And thank you everyone at home who supports me, I love and miss you all!!
Ciao ciao!
Sorella Acton
Monday November 23, 2020
Hello everyone! This week has been a great one! As usual we have been very busy at the visitor center with virtual tours, and also this week we had the blessing of having lots of lessons with investigators and members! We were racing around all week, but I absolutely loved it!! I love being with the people and bearing testimony of my Savior so frequently. At the Visitor Center we are putting together a couple musical numbers for Christmas that will posted on the Rome Temple Visitor Center page, so we had a couple rehearsals for that this week as well. I'm SO excited for Christmas season! I broke out the Christmas lights, put up the tree last night and started to listen to Christmas music this week! I know, I know, it's still not after Thanksgiving but I just couldn't help myself. So to those that it concerns, forgive me! Haha
We had two wonderful lessons this week with the lady on baptismal date and we may have another one on baptismal date at the tend of this week, if she accepts the invitation we gave on Sunday.
We also had a flat tire on the car this week, luckily the assistants came and help us but, shh, don't tell anyone, I knew more about how to do it than they did. . they were mostly there for the muscle.
I absolutely loved the Prophet's message to us all this week! What a wonderful reminder of how much joy we can find through gratitude. How lucky we are to have a living Prophet today!
I hope that you are all happy and well this holiday season! Make sure everyday you remember to be grateful and find a way to serve someone around you!
Ciao ciao!!
Sorella Acton
Monday November 16th, 2020
This week was so amazing! A lot of really cool things happened this week. The start of the week was pretty normal with lots of tours at the Visitor's Center. But then Tuesday we had a lesson with a girl we have been teaching, her name is Esther, she was having a little bit of a hard time with some gospel principles. We had a really good lesson with her and then she said that she wants to pursue this course and wants to become a member. So, we chose a baptismal date with her for the 19th of December. This was so exciting because it was a first for both me and my companion. Right after that we had District Council and our district "celebrated" with us. (Having someone progress towards baptism is what we all hope for out here on the mission. We know how much the Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses lives and it is so exciting to help someone along the path).
Wednesday we had some more tours at the VC and then a lesson with another girl we have been teaching and that lesson went really well too. It was wonderful to see her and visit with her. We also had two hours that day where we had the first session of our Mission Tour with President and Sorella Smith and Anziano DeFao, the Area President here. President and Sorella Smith gave a really good devotional about letting God prevail in our lives and are we willing to let Him prevail. They talked about how this is EXACTLY what the Lord wants us to do at this time and how important it is for us to not become weary in well doing. They also talked a lot about the Jaredites, from Ether chapters 2-6 specifically about the boats the Jaredites made. They had to make them "tight, like unto a dish." They compared that to our lives and asked us, "How tight is your dish? How strong is your fortress?" It is so important that we do all the little things in our daily lives to get closer to our Savior, to tighten our dish and strengthen and tighten our testimony and conversion. As we do the little things like saying our prayers and reading our scriptures and following the commandments we can improve our relationship with the Savior. Especially during these difficult days. They also talked about how our Heavenly Father is with us, He is there in the storm with us. I really loved something they said; "He prefers to prepare us for the path not prepare the path for us." I have definitely felt that in my life and especially while here on my mission. Heavenly Father really does prepare us for the path; for the trials we are going to face. He doesn't do the things for us, He doesn't prepare the path for us, but rather He prepares us for the path; for the things we will face. But we have to allow Him to prepare us for those things. The President De Fao gave his training. He talked about how the Lord knows; He is aware and He prepared you for this. He said; "If we are serious about our discipleship, the Savior will ask us to do the things most difficult for us to do." I loved this is so much because it is so true. If we are serious about our discipleship the Savior will ask us to do things that are very difficult; things we don't think we can do. But of course with Him on our side, we can do anything. And not shrinking is more important than not suffering. He also shared something really profound that Elder Holland actually told us as well during a devotional he gave while we were in quarantine, Christ chose to keep the scars in His hands and His feet to show us that He really is our Savior and that He knows what its like to have wounds. And to remind us that He understands everything that we go through; physically, mentally, emotionally, He knows every single thing. He kept those scars to show us that He understands. We are all going to have wounds in our life and the person we can turn to that will understand that perfectly is our Savior. He continued to tell us that "You have been chosen to go through this at this time. Have the courage to listen and to act on the promptings the spirit gives you." He shared another thing that I really, really loved. He said, "You are assigned to your Mission President too." He explained that we aren't just assigned to our Missions, the language, and our areas, but also to our Mission President. It is actually a process and something they consider when they extend a call to a Missionary. There is something specific that we can learn from our Mission President and his wife that will affect us for the rest of our lives. I loved that because my Mission President and his wife have made an incredible impact on my life. They have taught me so many things and I am very grateful for both of them. He told us to search, ponder, and pray to discover what we are supposed to learn from them, but I already know there is so much I have learned from them that will bless my life forever. Then he asked us the question, "Are you still fighting?" And had us ponder on that for a little bit. Then told us to stop fighting and let God prevail. I loved that so much! He went on to say, "Will you allow His voice to take precedence above any other?" That made me ponder, am I letting God prevail in my life?
Wednesday afternoon I had the wonderful opportunity to do a virtual tour via zoom for my family, friends, and ward members back home. That was so incredible, I loved it so much! It was an amazing experience and I loved being able to see everyone. I really miss everyone from back home! I hope that everyone was able to feel the spirit that I was feeling as I gave that tour.
Thursday we had another session of the Mission Tour with Anziano DeFao and he talked about having hope in difficult times. Having hope is having trust in the Savior and trusting that the promises He makes to us will come true. The Savior will deliver us but first we have to go through the refiner's fire. He also talked a lot about working with the members and he gave us some good advice about that. Then he had us write down our impressions. One impression that I had was in my prayers each night to ask my Heavenly Father what I can do, or what He wants me to do, to learn through this experience. And then when I get my answer to go and act on it. And to allow God's voice to prevail in my life above any other.
Friday we had a Mission Leadership Conference and since I am the Sister Training Leader I attended that. As part of that we had another devotional with Anziano DeFao and we talked about how we can help our Mission develop a culture in which all the missionaries are agents unto themselves and have the constant directing guidance of the spirit regardless of outside forces acting upon them. We talked a lot about prayer and doing the little things. President Smith talked about how yesterday we had discussed about having hope in the Lord and trusting that He will keep His promises to us, and how he sure hopes that the Lord will have trust in him to keep his promises. I loved that! We also talked a lot about being good examples and helping others to understand their divine potential. Because when we truly understand our divine potential we have more of a desire to serve. We also talked about keeping our flame burning. It isn't so important how big our flame is but whether it is continuing to burn. The flame being our testimony of Jesus Christ.
Friday night we had a lesson with a member family because their daughter is preparing for baptism. We taught them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We had a really good lesson with them and it was a lot of fun, I enjoyed being with them.
Saturday, we had a really busy day. We did service in the morning which was a lot of fun and then we had a lot of tours at the Visitor Center.
Sunday we were able to go to the church and partake of the Sacrament which was really nice because we haven't been able to do that for the past two weeks. Then we had a couple tours and then had lunch at a member's house.
Sunday night we had a Visitor Center virtual tour for as many members that could join here in our Mission. We had 500 connections, which is actually the maximum number. It was incredible! It was so cool to see all the members that joined and to feel the spirit that was there in the Visitor's Center with so many united here throughout Italy. Especially during these difficult times as Covid restrictions are getting more strict.
I felt the spirit so strong this week and recognized the things that I can do to be better, to follow my Savior more, and to let God prevail more in my life. I am so grateful for everything I am learning on my mission and how much I am growing, it is incredible! I have gained such a strong testimony of my Savior.
Ciao, Ciao
Sorella Acton
Monday November 9, 2020
This week was pretty good, it was really busy at the Visitor Center again which is actually a very big blessing. I have had a lot of amazing experiences at the VC and have felt the spirit really strong. This week I was able to give a couple tours in English from some big groups from Texas and Vancouver, WA. During these tours, I had a lot of interaction from the kids that were on the call. It was super cute and I absolutely loved it! It reassured to me just how badly I want to work with kids as a profession one day. They are so intelligent, so innocent, so amazing and I just love them and love to interact with them.
Then there is a Senior couple who have been working at the VC and they gave a tour to some of their friends and we were able to just stand there and film them as they gave the tour. I haven't had that opportunity to just listen to a tour in English, because I'm usually the one giving them in English, it was an amazing experience and I felt the spirit so strongly! I know the Visitor Center is an amazing place and the spirit there is so strong. I loved having that reaffirmed to me as I listened to their tour.
I cannot believe it is already November! The weather over here is getting colder and it is getting closer to Christmas which I am really excited for.
We were able to have a couple lessons with some people we are teaching this week. They went really well. We have three people that are progressing, so we are praying that our lessons with them will continue to go well this upcoming week.
Since the Covid numbers are rising we haven't been able to have church at the church building. The last two Sundays we've had our District Leader and his companion bring us the Sacrament. Of course, it's sad not being able to meet with the ward, but it has been really special to have them come and administer the Sacrament to us while we are at the Visitor Center or at our house. I'm very grateful for the Savior and everything He has done for us, for the plan that He has for us. Even though times are really hard right now I know that He's aware of us and that He does have a plan even if it is hard for us to understand. We just need to keep having faith and trust in Him. He is the Savior of the world, He went through so much for us. Life was never easy for Him so we can't expect our lives to be easy. If the most perfect person to ever walk the earth didn't have it easy then neither will we. I have learned that a lot here on the mission. And that it is really up to us and our attitude about our day and the things happening around us. So much of our life is dependent upon our attitude. Even when things are really hard if we decide to have a good attitude, to trust in the Lord each and every day, and to find the blessings and joy around us we will be able to find them. The hard moments really do become easier as we focus on our Savior and all the blessings that He has given us.
I hope that you are all doing well!
Ciao
,
Sorella Acton
P.S. Oh, I wanted to share one more cool experience. I was having a hard moment, just feeling like I still wasn't able to speak the Italian language as good as I wanted to(it's great living in an apartment with 3 other Italian speakers but also challenging not to compare myself to their ability to speak fluently). I was feeling as though my inability to speak fluently had kept me from being able to connect or help anyone while here. Then today on P-day, my Zone leader told me that he and his companion had a lesson with a girl named, Jen(someone I had taught while in one of my previous areas) and she asked him if he knew the "American Sorella". She told him how much she loved me, that I was fun to be around and that she felt like I really cared about her. She felt good whenever we taught her.
That was a tender mercy from God and it was just what I needed to hear to help me continue on!
Monday November 2, 2020
This week was a really good, busy week!
Monday night, us 4 Sorelle here in Rome 5 had a cena (dinner appointment) all together which was really fun and the couple are super awesome! We also had a lot of tours in the Visitor Center! It is keeping us super, super, busy! We also found two new people to teach this week. Now we have 4 people with good potential for baptism so hopefully we will be able to help them along the path!
I am so grateful for the opportunity to work at the Visitor Center even when it keeps us soo busy! Unfortunately, the numbers for covid have risen a lot so they are making a lot of restrictions and we may have to go into another lockdown. We are all praying that it won't happen and if it does that it will be a lot faster than the last time. I am happy and healthy though and seeing miracles from the Lord every day!!
I gave a little devotional to the sisters at the Visitor Center and I talked about spiritual gifts and divine potential! I know that sometimes it's hard for us to see the spiritual gifts that we have in ourselves. But I know that we all have them and that through our Savior we can recognize what they are and develop them.
You are all special and needed!!
I hope everything is going well for all of you at home!
ciao
Sorella Acton
Monday October 26, 2020
Wednesday the 21st we had p-day and it was the last p-day with my old companion. We went and did some shopping together.
Thursday morning we packed up and took my companion to the station where she took a car to the airport to get to her new area, Siracusa. Then I met up with my new companion and came here to the Rome 5 area. I spent two weeks in this area, Rome 5, when my companion from the transfer before this last one went home. I'm excited to be back in this area. I have a car in this area so I'm back driving, which I love! I'm really happy to be back being the driver, it's one of my favorite things. I am still the STL, Sister Training Leader, that means I make sure that all the Sister Missionaries in my Zone are doing well. I am over two companionships and my own. I am the STL for the visitor's center, so I am working there with the President and his wife (of the Visitor's Center). They are from France. I am working with them and helping to keep the Visitor's Center running. I am in a house with four sisters and I love them. They are all super great and we have fun being together. After my new companion and I arrived at our apartment on Thursday we had a couple of lessons and that pretty much finished up the rest of the day because transfer day is always crazy.
Friday, we had a lesson in the morning with one of our investigators. Her name is Esther and she is incredible. We had a really good lesson with her and taught her about the Restoration and shared our testimonies with her. We were able to do her lesson in the Visitor's center which is really great because the spirit is always so strong in the Visitor's center. I loved being able to do it there with her. She said she wants to become a member, she wants to have the Holy Ghost with her. She is willing to go through the process and is asking us what all that process entails. She is still a bit confused so we are trying to help her understand everything. It was a really good lesson and we see a really bright future with her. She has a lot of potential. We are really hoping that things go well with her. We are also teaching another girl that has potential of being baptized, her name is Kiara. I met her and her family when I was here previously for two weeks in the Rome 5 area. She is awesome! She is actually a young adult. Last transfer I was working with the young adults and so I saw her a lot at the activities. I love her, she is so incredible! I am really happy to be working with her personally now.
Friday afternoon, all day Saturday, and all of Sunday we were at the Visitor's Center. It was super crazy! Saturday we had 9 back to back tours and four of them were unplanned and right at the last minute. It was a crazy busy day, but it was fun. I enjoy being busy and I love being in the Visitor Center. There is such a strong spirit there and I love being able to give the tours to people and to help them feel of that wonderful spirit. We barely had time to sit down and eat on Saturday and Sunday. They were crazy days, but really really good days.
It has been a great start to the transfer! Today is p-day and we had to move to a different apartment because the neighbors below us have been causing some problems. This morning we were moving and cleaning, it took up most of the day. The new apartment that we moved to is in the same area as our last one; it's just one building over. It's smaller but is really cute and feels more "homey". We already feel adjusted to our new space and are loving it.
President has talked to me a little bit about how best to run the Visitor's Center, so we just have two companionships working there right now. With another companionship to come and help if needed. My companion and I and the other two sisters in our apartment have been assigned to work there. The VC calls us whenever they need us. It has been crazy busy, but its also been a lot of fun. I'm really really happy right now. Things are going really well! I can't believe I only have four months of my mission left-time is flying. I'm making sure to enjoy every moment.
I am feeling very full of gratitude. As Thanksgiving is getting closer I have been reflecting on a lot of my blessings and how grateful I am. My mission has been so incredible. I have seen so many amazing changes in my life and in me since I have been out here. I wouldn't change it for anything. I have learned so much.
Covid numbers have been rising a little bit here in Italy so we have had some restrictions put back into place. It hasn't affected us too much yet, but please pray for us that we won't have to go back into quarantine. We are praying pretty hard that won't happen again.
The work is good. Life is good. Love you guys all at home, hopefully things are well with all of you.
Ciao, Ciao
Sorella Acton
My new Companion
