Week 60 Happy Thanksgiving

 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

Flat Tire

Breakfast as an apartment

"Light the World"

VC Christmas lights

Week 59

 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

Dinner with Members

Week 58

 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!

My Comp

My girls!

District P-day

Week 57 Tours, Tours, and more Tours

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

Week 56 Transfers

 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

The girls in my apartment