September 29, 2014 - Need to Rest

Hello all!!! No time, but things are good, 

I am happy, and Gesi CAME TO CHURCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take that Satan!!! She has a lot of questions for us tomorrow, but that is okay. And now I go to sleep, because I am sick AGAIN and the mission nurse said I HAVE to rest. I called her the second day, she gave some advice, said call in two days if it is not gone. I called in two days, and now I am bed stricken for pday. So, maybe I will write some of you letters...? But if I am being honest, I will probably read some awesome book on the history of the church. I am getting really into that right now. It makes me SO proud to be a Mormon. I love this, really. Okay, getting delirious... well not really, but my head just hurts a lot and I get naustious a lot too. I also forget how to spell, or that could be the fault of Italian. Whatever. I am gonna go. But really, all is well here and life is great, and I am SO THANKFUL to my Heavenly Father for what He does for me!!!

Sorella Patterson

September 22, 2014 - Last full day of summer

Ciao tutti!!!! 

This morning we had an awesome lesson with Gesi, an incredible woman from Nigeria who is the most incredible example of strength and bravery and I just wish you all could meet her. She really is special. An older member came with us and at the end we were all crying and she invited Gesi over for pranzo next week, for anytime she wants to talk, for Christmas, basically she told her she was adopting her! Then, Gesi told us she had actually been praying for a mother figure, because she is just so alone here in Italy. I can't imagine coming here by yourself with no support system and then facing SO MANY tirals, molto brutte, and having to do it all alone. She is just incredible. PLEASE pray for her, visto che your prayers are working for everyone else. Thank you for your help with these people, you have no idea the lives you are all changing, including mine! I can't believe how blessed I am. I can't believe the mercy of God in letting me be a part of this and help His precious children. But I can't find them all by myself, we just can't as missionaries. Member finding is imperative. You HAVE to help the missionaries. You HAVE to. I know everyone wants to, everyone wants to tell someone about the gospel, so pray for opportunities to do it. Don't EVER be scared of any opportunity that comes your way, because it is coming from God with a promise that He will tell you what to say and do. You can do it now! 

Also, get ready for conference!!! I can't tell you how psyched I am!! In fact, I can honestly say that I have NEVER been this excited for General Conference. I literally cannot wait. It causes my physical and emotional pain knowing it is not here yet. If you get to watch it live, don't you dare miss a single session!! If you have to watch it after, make sure you have the same spirit of humility and worship and you are ready for anything they tell you. Listen to the twelve. They will always lead us to safety. I love you all and am praying for you. I hope you all have an awesome week and that you are all happy and well. 

Con amore,

Sorella Patterson

September 15, 2014 - Didn't make it to the Sistine Chapel!

Hey everyone!!

Celebrating Sorella Decker's birthday

Tomorrow, so many of my best mission friends are going back home to America!! I can hardly believe it. This thing goes by so fast and I just can't handle it! I am so not ready for this to be over. But, it is not, so no worries. Also, Sorella Viazzo just got transfered to Ostia which is in the Rome Zones so we will totally do a pday insieme and maybe go see the sistine chapel finally, since I still haven't seen it..... Yeah, we didn't get to see it yet, haha. Maybe I never will. That's okay, because Amède came to Church!!! I could hardly believe it!!! All of your prayers paid off and he came and seemed to have a good experience. He and Laban were both there which was pretty stressful, but awesome. Definitely worth the stress if it helps them prepare for their baptismal dates and helps them feel the spirit to get their answer. Our work is giong pretty well right now. We have a lot to be grateful for, and we can see the Lord blessing this area. I am grateful to all of you who are praying for Amède and Laban. It has helped them more than you can know. Opposition is hitting ALL of our investigators REALLY HARD right now. It is horrible, proprio horrible. I won't describe it, and it is different for each one, but it is really hard. I wish I could protect them from the world, you know? And from doubts and fear, and just from Satan in general. I have been having cool experiences though and I KNOW that no matter what, God is more powerful. The thing about darkness and light is that no matter how much darkness you have, one tiny little flame is enough to chase the darkness away. Darkness can NEVER overpower light, it just is not possible. In the end of it all, I already know who will win. I just want as many people to be on the winning team, cioè Christ's team, as possible.

I love each of you. Thank you for reading my emails, it makes me feel good, and that I am serving more people (assuming these emails ever help people ;) ). But really, thank you. Thank you for the emails I get back too, that is really nice. I love y'all,

Sorella Patterson

No, we didn't make it to the Sistine Chapel. It was the Vatican, but just the big church in front, the Basilica. I know, I know, I need to go and I REALLY want to. Next time I go to the Vatican will be for real!

Me, Alessandra, Sorella Decker

September 8, 2014 - Touring the Vatican Today!

Hello all!!

Just a quick update. The Training went super well. No tears, but that was not the goal that day. We did make them feel successful, and for that I am grateful. 

Zone Conference September 2014 - Rome East

I had a great interview with President Waddoups, and it turns out that it is okay to feel like a terrible trainer. And I know I am not, but ya know, sometimes you wonder if you are teaching them the right way or sometimes it is hard 

because she wants to do things the way I do them but then I wonder if that is best, and AAAGGGHHHHH. It is just a little stressful sometimes, but all is well. I am well enough off :) 

We met a man named Laban on friday from Uganda, and on Saturday he agreed to be baptized, and he came to church on Sunday (which is really half the battle) and said he loved it. I will keep you updated on him. He is SO HUMBLE. I love Africans. Sometimes I feel like I should have been sent to Nigeria or something, but I know it's not true. Next time ;)

Alright. That's all for now. I love you all. Our friend James is getting us into the Vatican today for free, from the exit. He is a security guard there, so I think it is legal. Just kidding, of course it is legal. ... It totally is. He is a good guy. 

Okay, yeah, love you guys. 

Sorella Patterson

Zone Conference September 2014 - Rome East