Sorella Rebekah Tiffany Acton: Week 10 Little Miracles

Monday December 9, 2019

Monday we had p-day and did some grocery shopping and then we went and played calcio (soccer) with the whole zone and it was really fun. We showed up a little late but we still had about and hour and a half to play so that was nice. After that we all went and got lunch as a zone and then our district went and played fuse ball at the church. After p-day was over we went and helped put up a Christmas tree with two of the young women in our ward and we made brownies.
Tuesday we got up and did our normal routine and then we went out to an area we had done some finding in last week. We went to see some people that said we could come back and visit with them. We talked to one of the ladies through her window; we showed her a video for Christmas and explained to her about the Book of Mormon and then gave her one. She said we could come back another time and meet with her again so that was a really cool miracle. And then we went to visit another lady that had said we could come back and we showed her a video as well. After we had pranzo and did our studies we went to Bernadette's house and visited her and her mom. They are going through a hard time right now so we showed them a talk from Elder Holland that was really good. After that we went to English course and it's awesome because now with Christmas time we can teach things about Christmas for English course. We sang some Christmas songs together. And then after English course was over we walked out and saw some Anziani from another area and were like, "Why are you guys here?" Unfortunately one of the Elders was having to home. We went and got some gelato with them and I was able to talk with him and share my experience with him and give some advice. He asked a lot of questions and I was able to be there for him and help him. It was nice to be able to have my situation of going home help someone else out and give them encouragement. I let him know that he would be able to make it through this hard time and overcome. So that was really nice.
Wednesday we woke up and went to District Council and talked about the importance of Book of Mormon and how it is the keystone in our religion. I love District Council because it is fun to be with our district and I also am uplifted at the same time. After that we went and had district pranzo which was fun. We had a kbob which is kind of like a gyro. Then we went home and did some more studies and then visited with a less active member and talked with her for a while. We answered some of her questions and then taught her a lesson about the importance of reading the scriptures, going to church, praying and just doing the little things. How doing the little things can save us and make us stronger. We taught her how even though sometimes it is easy to forget the little things, just how important they really are. Her husband came in and we talked with him as well and answered some of his questions. Then we had a prayer and I asked to bear my testimony real quick before we left since I didn't get much of a chance to contribute to the lesson since I don't know the language as well. So I bore my testimony which was really nice because it touched them and it touched me as well. I was able to share that and she told me to not worry because for only being here for two months I was doing really good with the language. That was nice to hear from someone we were teaching. Then we got to talking a little bit more and we shared a scripture with them and substituted her husband's name into the scripture. It was a really spiritual experience and I think all of us in the room were feeling the spirit so that was really cool. Then we went and had cena (dinner) with a couple in our ward. I was feeling kind of sick that night so I wasn't able to eat as much and I felt bad about that because she had cooked for us. We showed them the nativity video which is so beautiful.
Thursday I had a scambio (exchange) with the Sorella from P-2 (Palermo 2 district). We did some finding and then we had English Course, it was kind of a busy day.
Friday we were finishing up the scambio and we had a lesson with somebody that the Anziani are actually teaching. We talked with her and I think it was good for her to talk things through with us. We were able to answer a lot of her questions and told her that we're not here to persuade people to join the church or to pressure people. We are just here to invite others to come unto Christ and it's all on their terms. We are just here as guides. It was nice to talk with her.
Friday, Sorella Johnson and I went to Casa de Nina, which is the house for those with special needs. We were able to spend time with them and its always a really fun time to be with them. They all just have such special spirits. After that we went and had pranza and did some studies. And then I had a bit of a breakdown. I was just having a hard time to understand about how God feels about me because of what I've gone through in my life. I was feeling really inadequate. My companion helped talk me through that and then I went and got a blessing. I have such a strong testimony of the priesthood and priesthood blessings. It's really incredible and such a gift to have that and be able to receive a blessing from a worthy priesthood holder who has a direct line with God. That was something I really needed and was so grateful for.
Saturday we got up and went to Bernadette's house again and helped her mom do some cleaning. We actually did a lot of cleaning which was actually very therapeutic for me. I was able to be by myself in the kitchen washing cupboards and countertops and to have time to reflect and be still. So it was a nice blessing for me. Afterwards we went home for pranzo and studies and then went to go do some finding. I really struggle with finding it is something that is really hard for me. I get really anxious having to go up and talk to people that I don't know especially since I don't know the language as well as I would like. Unfortunately, I let that get in the way of my mood. I wasn't in the best mood at first and Sorella Johnson was the one doing most of the talking. She wanted to just turn around and go up to go home but I said I think we should go down this street a little farther and then turn and go back up to go home. So that is what we did and we actually ran into this man. At first we thought he was a bit creepy and he asked to come and get gelato with us. But for some reason we felt like we should say "yes" even though it was so weird. We went and got gelato with him and talked about the Book of Mormon. He told us about how he became to believe in God. He told us that he is Catholic but there are a lot of things that don't really make sense to him in the Catholic Church right now. He asked us a lot of questions about what we believe and we taught him about the Plan of Salvation. We ended up giving him a Book of Mormon and we are hoping to meet with him again soon. That was a miracle of finding. Even though it is hard for me to go up and start a conversation, I can still be led by the spirit. It helped me gain some courage and then I was able to talk to two people and they were good conversations.
Sunday we woke up and went to church. We had one of our investigators come to church which was awesome and she actually paid tithing. After church we had pranzo at our ward mission leader's house with his family. It was so nice to be with his family. It was him and his wife and their daughter and her three children. It was so nice to be in a home with them and play with the kids and be in a family setting. It was definitely a blessing. We shared part of the nativity with them as well. There is a part in the nativity video where the wise men are presenting their gifts to Christ and it is so touching. It makes me excited for when I can be in front of my Savior and be thanking Him for all that He has done for me. And the blessing His Atonement has been in my life. It gets me teary every time I watch it. Afterwards we went home and did some studies and weekly planning and then we went down to the Teatro Massimo which is the big opera house in Palermo and we did caroling with all of the other missionaries here in Palermo and also with the ward members as well. The streets are all lit up now. Today was festa which is when everyone sets up for Christmas and then all go out in the streets. The streets were super busy and all the lights were up and the Teatro Massimo was so beautiful. It was so much fun to be feeling the Christmas spirit and be out caroling surrounded by so many beautiful Christmas lights.
This week for something that I learned, I read a talk that my mom suggested. It said that when we have taken the correct steps to be forgiven, God does forgive us and he remembers those sins no more. But we will still remember them because they are what help us not to make that same mistake again and to just help us to grow. Even though I may still remember things of my past they can actually be a strength instead of a weakness. Christ's Atonement is so deep and so beautiful and if we just focus on that aspect of it then the things that we have done in the past can be a strength instead of a weakness. I also studied about how important personal study is. We can have faith in Christ but we need to be doing the little things every day like reading our scriptures and saying our prayers and studying the words of the prophets and apostles. That is what will keep us rooted in the gospel. As we keep doing those studies and learning about Christ then no matter what any one else says or the trials that we have in our lives we are rooted in the gospel and nothing will be able to uproot us. It's just like a seed, when you plant it as you keep watering it, the roots grow stronger and stronger until it can withstand those winds. And it can't be knocked down.
It is so beautiful now that everything is set up for Christmas. There are vendors all along the streets with nativities and Christmas lights and other things for Christmas. It's different being away from home but there are so many beautiful things so I'm just trying to find the joy in each day.

Love you!
Sorella Acton