Well Done

Please remember to join us for Sarah's Homecoming this Sunday!

Below are some of her last words home:

Right now my heart is just so full of gratitude and joy that I hardly know what to do with myself.  I know that it's coming to a close, and that it's at the right time.  If my mission already means so much to me now, while I am still here, I can only imagine how much it will mean to me through the years as it becomes more and more a part of me.

Last night as I was saying my prayer, I thought of all of the people I was able to meet and all of the beautiful experiences I've had.  There just aren't words to be able to describe it.  I think I am finally starting to really understand, ''and men are, that they might have joy.''  The gospel is a gospel of love and a gospel of joy.  All Heavenly Father really wants is for us to be perfectly and incredibly happy. I am so grateful that through His Son it is all possible.  I cannot believe how blessed I have been to learn this during these 18 months and be able to share it with those around me.  My heart is ''swollen with joy'' and I feel as if I could climb onto the rooftops to ''sing redeeming love.''  Trials may come, storm clouds may gather, but we know to whom to look for solace and light even in the darkest of times.  Our master is there to save us, sustain us, and help us realize the glorious divine potential that lies in each of us.  WE are His entire work and glory, and His promised blessings WILL come if we just have the faith to hang on.

I know that we are children of our loving Heavenly Father and through our desires to become like Him we were able to come to this earth, blessed to live in families, to learn, experience and grow.  I know that through the redemptive and enabling powers of the Atonement we can become purified and sanctified, overcoming all sin, fault or weakness.  Through Christ we truly can become perfected in Him.  The Book of Mormon along with a living prophet serve as our guides to illuminate the way to eternal and lasting happiness.  As we live worthy of our covenants, we may find joy in the journey and open arms to receive us when we are called to the other part.  

How grateful I am for this nametag that allowed me to proclaim these glad tidings.  Even though I may have to take it off in a short while, it will be forever engraven upon my heart, along with all of these wonderful people.  Thank you for supporting me, for encouraging me, and for leading me by example.  YOU are the greatest blessing in my life, and not a day goes by that I will not thank the Lord my God for sending me to you.  His work will go on, we will continually be encircled by the arms of His love as we seek His will in all things until we will hear the words, ''Well done, my good and faithful servant.''  I hope He will say that about these 18 months because I have given my all, and He has given so much in return that I will never be able to repay Him.

I love you with all of my heart.  See you soon.  A presto.

Miracles!

The last few incredible weeks...

Wow, what an incredible week.  Who am I kidding?  EVERY week is fantastic!  On Saturday we went to Bergamo for the concert.  Just when I thought my mission couldn't end on a better note after the baptisms of Geraldine and Eugenia...  It was almost like a homecoming.  Everyone was SO excited to see me, we were all laughing and crying and hugging.  The best part was looking out the door and seeing Ana, our new convert walking in.  I opened the door and when she saw me, we just ran to each other...she was in heels and everything.  We just clung together for an entire minute, at a loss for words.  She told me how happy she was to see me, and wouldn't let me go for the rest of the evening.  She just looped her arm through mine, like grandma does.  She is so special, like an aunt or sister to me.  There is not a better feeling in the world than to see her pressing on, so faithful, so full of light and the spirit.  Words just seem empty in trying to describe it.

 

 As missionaries, so often we have to wait for years even to see the fruits of our labors.  Very few are immediate.  But the Lord blessed me to be able to see that all of my efforts weren't in vain, and that just maybe I WAS able to help.  It was so gratifying.  By the end, we were all just crying.  It was like saying goodbye all over again.

 

But the work is not done yet.  Beny is finally starting to make some huge progress, coming to GANS three times last week.  We had a talent show so I accompanied her while she sang, ''Someone like You'' by Adele.  The single adults are doing a good job of frienshipping her, because they've all struggled with the same things.  On sunday she made me print out more music so I could play for her.  She wants to see us all the time, now.

 

Finally, one night it was really late coming home on the bus.  I was so tired, but remembered President's counsel that ''from the last 10% come 90% of the blessings.''  So I saw this woman sitting down, whom Slla Lloyd claims was somewhat scary looking, and even though I didn't feel like it, I started talking to her.  We ended up getting her phone number and then going to her house.  She was there with her sister Fanny, and they had SO many questions like ''Is it necessary to get baptized twice?''  ''How can you know which church is true?''  ''Is Jesus Christ God or the Son of God?  How does that all work?''  We had a great lesson, and the second time we went over they asked US if they could come to church with us.  So we're really excited for them.  We also found 11 new investigators last week, and even after some no-shows, we are hoping some of them turn into progressing investigators.

 

I look forward to pressing on these last few days!

~Sorella Jacobson

Please Join Us...

Just a reminder that you are invited to join us for

Sister Sarah Jacobson's Homecoming!

Sunday, August 26th

11:00am

Chapel behind Olympus High School

(4100 S. Camille Drive)

We will also be having a luncheon afterwards at the Jacobson Home

(2616 Capricorn Way)

Come up and visit with Sarah afterwards.

RSVP on Facebook on Sarah's page - we hope everyone can make it!

The Count Down is On!

I'll tell you why this week has been absolutely wonderful:

 

First, they announced Eugenia's baptism in church along with Antonella (the elder's investigator).  She was so happy afterward.  And people were coming up and talking with her.  She had her interview on Tuesday which went really well.  Then she just comes up with one of those two-liners that you will remember for the rest of your life.  We were reviewing tithing and going over fast offerings, and she says, ''You know, I think I'll be able to do the whole tithing thing.  I was looking at my budget, and I realized that if I pay tithing with all the money I used to use on cigarettes, I'll come out just fine.''  She hasn't even paid tithing yet and she's already realizing how much she will be blessed!  I cannot even tell you how excited I am!

 

If that weren't enough, we had a lesson with Geraldine at a member's house after church.  Originally, she had decided to wait until after she got back from vacation to be baptized.  At the end of the lesson, she says, ''Sister, is it too late for me to be baptized on the 28th?  I think I'd like to do it.''  We told her to go home and pray about it.  The next day we had one of the most spiritual lessons I've had.  We talked about living prophets and took the amazing Capece couple with us.  At the end of the lesson, I asked, ''Were you able to ask Heavenly Father about baptism?''  ''Yes,'' she said.  ''What did He say?''  I ask.  Are you ready for this?  I still get goosebumps just thinking about it.  She responds, ''I feel that now is the right time for me to be baptized.''  There just isn't a greater feeling.  I gave her a big hug and we were all laughing and congratulating her.  She just had this big smile on her face.

 

Geraldine is one of the humblest, most faithful people I know.  She originally wanted to wait so she could learn more, because we've esentially taught her everything in 2 weeks.  It's been such a great experience, because we've had to keep everything so simple and basic, that the spirit has really been present and able to bear testimony.  Between every lesson, she goes to the lds website to look up everything in both Tagolog and English.  When she doesn't understand, she says, ''Sister, will you please explain?''  I call her quite often, and she says things like, ''Sister, do you think I will be able to answer all of the questions?''  (In regards to the interview.)  Her prayer at the end of the lesson where she decided to be baptized was one of the most beautiful I have ever heard in my life.  She always thanks the Lord for sending her ''my missionaries'' and prays for our families.  She thanks Him for showing her the path and asks for the faith to continue to learn.  She is going to be such a strength for her family...she also wants her children to be ''Mormons.''

 

You think I'm done with all the great things, don't you?  Not a chance. 

 

On top of that, we were finally able to get ahold of Isabel, our baptismal date who went MIA for 3 weeks.  Turns out that she had lost her phone and they had no way to contact us.  What a relief!  So hopefully we can get her back on track again. 

 

So as you can see, the Lord is blessing us beyond measure.  Two baptisms (3 with Antonella) and a concert this weekend, another concert in Bergamo the following, and two other people with baptismal dates.  Plus, we're meeting tons of other awesome people, like Nikol from Nuernberg who speaks German, Italian, AND English.  And happens to be an engieneer.  And I actually was able to talk with him in German, for once. 

 

Love you all.  Remember that faith precedes the miracle.

 

Sarah

In Concert!

More and More Blessed

These past few weeks have been absolutely insane.  People are starting to come up to US to ask us questions.  For example, I was talking to this guy on the bus, who wasn't very interested.  But then we get off, and another man stops us asking, ''What exactlty is that book you were talking about?''  We end up teaching him a mini lesson about the book of mormon.  Meanwhile, another gentleman is standing off to the side, watching us.  As we finish with the first, he comes up to us and says, ''Hey, what is it you guys are talking about?''  So we teach HIM about the book of mormon, restoration, etc.  Then, the next day in the same place, a couple sitting on a bench say, ''Hey, which church are you from?''  As we talked about the restoration and my comp recited the first vision, they just kept saying, ''Che bello, che bello.''  ''How beautiful, how beautiful.''  None of them turned into investigators (yet) but I now know what the Lord means when Ammon and his brethren taught EVERYWHERE: 

 

''And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them...'' Alma 26:29.

 

Sarah and her companion also recently gave another concert in Milano:

 

THE CONCERT!  How can I forget?!  It was one of the coolest things I've experienced in my entire mission.  It went SO well.  At the end, we finished with this rendition of ''How Great Thou Art'' that was so powerful, that when our ward mission leader got up to bear his testimony, he couldn't even speak.  (And he's one who speaks a lot!)  Also, one of our members brought her neighbor, who had received lessons before.  So we're hopefully going to set up an appt with her. But the most amazing thing was how the members responded.  The loved it so much, that they want us to do it again!  Everyone, and I mean everyone, kept asking, ''You have to do it again.  When will you do it again?!''  Little Ivan, from the Astudillo family, started crying while I played ''If you could hie to Kolob'' because he said he felt the spirit.  Sorella Wolfgramm said, ''This is one of the highlights of our mission.  I couldn't be any prouder of our two daughters.''  All of the members kept trying to invite us over for dinner to thank us.  People told us that we had to find each other after the mission and go on tour or something, because we are the perfect companionship. 

 

It was so wonderful to be able to give back to the ward - to thank them for all they do and who they are.  It wasn't about the compliments or the quality of the music, but the spirit that all of us felt there.  I know that the Lord blessed us for all of those years in practice, and allowed us to put them together for this ward, so they could feel how much they mean to us a missionaries.  

 

This week, they repeated the concert for the Institute:

 

We repeated the concert for the GANS (young adults).  There were only about 7 people there, but it was worth it.  Before it started, I talked with Sorella Capece who was having a really rough time.  She was frustrated with a lot of things, and understandably so.  She said she needed this to help her regroup.  There was such a special spirit - at the end she came up to me just bawling.  So we at least helped one person.

 

And the miracles continue:

 

Just when you think you've had the best lesson ever, the Lord sends you an even better one to prove you wrong.  The Crisciones are the best!  Litlle Charlotte and I made lemonade...it's been so long since I've ''babysat.''  it reminded me of Portia.  Meanwhile, Daniela made pasta with shrimp, my companion and Rachel fished the salad, and Giovanni set the table and entertained.  Because Daniela lived in NY for a few years, it was this awesome mix of Italian-English.  Dinner was delicious, and everything always seemed to tie into the gospel.

 

 The lesson on the Restoration blew my mind.  The spirit was SO powerful.  Rachel and Giovanni bore simple, short Preach my Gospel testimonies.  Somehow Giovganni compared the gospel to a ''map'' and then everyone picked up on that metaphor, even Daniela, for the entire lesson.  We talked about God revealing the map through prophets, different interpretations during the apostasy, etc.  When we asked Daniela if she would read and pray to know if our message was true, she said, ''I already know it's true.  I can feel it.  I can see it in the way you live.''  We invited her to baptism and she said she was open and would like to, but still is attached to the nuns that she grew up with, and has a lot of questions and doubts to present to the Lord.  Befoe we could say anything, Rachel just asks the most inspired question, ''Do you believe you can ask God these things and that He will answer?''  She and Giovanni talked about Christ knocking at the door.  It was exactly what she needed.  She said, ''I guess I need to start talking more openly and look for my ''map''' through prayer and reading.''  WOW!  There was such a peace, and you could visibly see how tranquil she felt.  The spirit was definitely guiding that lesson, through us, Daniela, and especially Giovanni and Rachel.

 

~Love to you all, Sorella Jacobson

  

 

New Miracles

New miracles? Yep!  Janet.  She came to church a few weeks ago, and the lesson was on the word of wisdom, which really touched her.  I was surprised because the word of wisdom isn't what you usually think of when you think of spiritual.  I talked with her for a minute afterwards, and she started crying, asking how you help someone who drinks.  I told her that you continue to love the person, just not what they're doing.  I was way surprised when I called a few days later, and she said she wasn't interested.  But two days ago, one of the young single adults set up an appt with us and his friend...who ended up being Janet.  When the Lord is involved, you usually can't escape.  We've had two really neat lessons now, with her telling us how she wants to change her life and come closer to the Savior.  The Atonement is so real and brings so much hope.  It's never too late, and there's no wound that cannot be healed thanks to the atonement. 

 

 There are so many little miracles that happen every day that it's hard to write them all to you.  The Lord blessed us with another 31 lesson week, so we are exhausted but happy. 

 

The other day on the bus, this woman kept looking at me, like she knew me.  I went over to talk with her, and she asked me who Jesus Christ was for me.  I told her that He is the Son of God, and our Saviour.  I don't know how to describe it, but I felt as if we already knew each other.  As if we were distant relatives or something.  She said, ''I'm so proud of you.  You are beautiful, and have chosen well in following Jesus Christ.  It is so refreshing to see young people demonstrate their faith, without shame or reservation.''  I wish you could have seen the look in her eye, as if it were someone familiar.  It's one of those things that happens every once in a while.  We have their phone number, so hopefully we can teach her, her husband, and three year old son.  

 

That's it for now.  I love you all!

~Sorella Jacobson

You're Invited...

Homecoming for Sorella Sarah Jacobson
Sunday, August 26th
11:00 am
Church on 4060 South and Camille Drive
(right behind Olympus HS)

Luncheon to follow at the Jacobson Home

The Fourth Quarter

Wow, we are seeing miracle after miracle here in Milan!  For example, on saturday we were knocking doors and found Eugenia.  She is about 28, from Romania, and let us in.  She was smoking and drinking coffee, and to be honest I didn't think anything was going to come out of it.  She ended up being super open, though, talking about how she believes in God but has lost faith in the priests.  She said, ''They're not like they once were.  Before you went to confess and you had to do at least a few 'Hail Marys' and actually repent.  Now you go and they say, 'Don't worry, you're forgiven.'  That's just not right!''  She also has a view that most of the people here have adopted - I like to call it the ''all roads lead to Rome'' point of view - where it's good enough just to believe because there's only one God anyway. We talked a little about the restoration and left her a Book of Mormon.

Yesterday, we went to see her again.  One of our members came with her 4 year-old daughter.  I was thinking ''Oh no, poor little Selena (the daughter) is going to comment on the cigarettes, this is going to be a disaster, Sorella Astudillo is going to hate us for introducing her daughter to this kind of environment'' etc.  But, the opposite happened.  Selena sat right next to Eugenia on the couch and asked her questions.  I don't know how, but it just opened Eugenia right up.  Her heart was somehow softened.  We read 3 Nefi 11 together, emphasizing the doctrine of Christ.  Plus, she had actually read before the appointment!  She accepted to keep reading and praying, is going with the Astudillo family to church, and when I invited her to baptism, she said, ''Va bene!'' or ''Sounds good!''  My companion and I were looking at each other like, did we just hear that right?  It was the cutest thing when she then gave Selena a few stuffed animals and Selena said, ''Ciao Uuugenia.''  It showed me that God is preparing ALL of His children, not just those we think are prepared.

Another miracle is Ann, whom we met with Sunday.  Two weeks ago I was talking with a mother and daughter on the bus, when Ann comes out of the blue, interrupts, and starts asking me all of these questions.  She then says, ''I have to get off here, but can I give you my number?''  The absolute reverse of what usually happens.  We set up an appt, but she didn't show so I was almost ready to write her off.  However, on Sunday we had an appt cancel, so I decided to give her a call.  She answered and said, ''Sorella JACOBSON!  (No one ever remembers my name.)  Allora, when can we meet?''  We met with her and asked her expections, established our purpose, and she also accepted to be baptized.  I had chills when she said to my companion, pointing to me, ''When I saw here on the bus, I just knew that I needed to talk with her.  I don't think it's a coincidence that the elderly man I usually am home with was in the hospital that day at that time, so that we could meet.''  I have never seen the spirit work so strongly with someone like that before, and see someone act on His promptings, without having received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Remeber that one family that I told you about recently?  Full of new converts, less actives, and investigators who gave me birthday presents?  The mom has officially left cigarettes behind, and is going through the challenge of overcoming her addiction so she can be rebaptized with Dylan, our 14 year-old investigator.  It's amazing how in a few short weeks, they've already become like a second, or third, or fourth family to me.  Noemi, the 9 year-old new convert got up to share her testimony in church.  She talked about how reading the Book of Mormon every night as a family has helped them grow closer together and prepare to go to the temple to be sealed.  She related that her mom is quitting smoking, and how they are fasting and praying together to help her.  It was a tender moment.  It reminded me again of the true reason we're here...not just to bring people the blessings of baptism, but help everyone become eternal families.  That is the greatest goal, the true fruit of the tree, which is desirable above all that is desirable to make one happy.

As you know, I love you all.  Thank you for your prayers, letters, pictures, and emails.  I've received so many letters from family and friends that I know I will have support and angels surrounding me until the end.  It's the fourth quarter, and you can bet your money I'm leaving it all on the court.  I didn't come out here to play a good three quarters and then give up the game at the end.  I've been conditioning my whole life, and thank you to all my fans cheering me on from the sidelines.  Without you, I wouldn't be here.

Love,

Sorella Jacobson

Milano

Hanging on the Metro

 

Visiting Torino

Shakin' Things up in Milan!

You might have heard about the earthquakes in Northern Italy over the past few weeks.  Thus, our emails from Sarah have been short, but thankfully, she is fine and actually hasn't felt many of them.  Here is her latest email:

Thankfully we were able to find other new investigators this week.  We met up with Benedicta and her two sons, John and Marvin, and we have a return appt with them tomorrow.  We found them in the old area book, and they have a deep desire to come closer to Christ, especially Marvin who is 20.  I had to laugh, though, because on the phone she kept calling me ''nun.''  When we got there, my comp played Marvin's guitar and sung a hymn, so they either understand that we're sister missionaries, or have met the first guitar-playing nuns they know.  

We also had lessons with Olga - a referral from the elders - and Mary, whom we talked with on the bus.  Mary had the craziest story about a girl in a park who gave her a baby because she didn't want it and how she had to lie to the agency in order to adopt her.  Maybe it wasn't the most honest thing in the world, but a woman who adopts a fourth child when she already has her hands full, is a single mom, and has no money is a pretty Christian thing to do.  The baby is now 12 years old, and part of the family.  Olga is awesome and told us about how she had frequented the church in the past, and always felt good while she was there.  She just has such an innocence and honesty about her.  So we'll see where things go with them.

I don't know if I've told you all much about Giovanna.  She works with an elderly lady full time, so she cannot leave to go to church on sunday.  She's in Mormon, thus almost finished with the Book of Mormon.  It just breaks my heart every time we go over there, because she talks as if she is already a member.  She says things like, ''I cannot wait until I am baptized because then I can put in my papers to serve a mission and knock the doors, sharing the restored gospel.''  She's been taught all of the lessons, except tithing, which we taught on Monday.  She not only accepted it, but asked me to leave the tithing slip so she could pay her tithing.  When we explained to her that she had to be a member in order to pay tithing, her eyes filled with tears.  ''I just have to go to church two more times...'' she always says, ''...then I can be baptized.''  She asked her boss, the daughter of the Senora, if she could go to church and she responded, ''Sure, and I'll look for someone to take your place.''  This is very common all over Italy, and it makes me so sad, because it's almost like indentured servitude.  But when I talked with President about it, he said that if she remains as faithful as she can, something will happen so that she can be baptized in the Lord's time.   

Speaking of Miracles, The other day on the bus, I initiated my first contact---in Spanish.  My companion is helping me get a little bit better every day.  The Lord truly blesses us with the gift of tongues when we are going about His business.  

I was talking with some tourists from Michigan, living in Germany, and they made an interesting comment about how Milan is like New York.  That's one of the best descriptions...Milan is like the New York of Europe, and I love it!  There are so many people from so many different places, and you have differences as bit as Brooklyn Brothers and the Bronx, but notwithstanding the differences, EVERYONE benefits from the gospel.  Rich or poor, bound (like Giovanna) or free, the Lord's invitation is to ALL men.  He heals hearts, unites families, and strengthens feeble knees.  What a privilege and blessing it is to be serving here at this time!

Love you all!

Sarah   

Miracles in Milan

The miracle of the week, well there are two.  First was Johnny and Karen accepting the 10 of June as a baptismal date!  We are so excited.  We practiced the invite in the morning during companionship study.  They still have their reservations, but because of our practice we had already anticipated what they might say and were ready to help them see it as a goal...something to push them and catalyze an answer.  They were mainly worried about how close it is, they wanted to wait a couple years.  :)  It's actually good when the investigators realize the importance and magnitude of baptism, and that it's not a thing to take lightly.  Today we are having a southern american birthday party with them and the Astudillo family...my companion is making empanadas, yum!

 

Beny is our second miracle.  Last week when my companion was running to the bathroom every half hour and I finally forced her to stay inside, I was looking through our old area book and found a record of an 18 year old girl.  It seemed like everything was going well; she was reading, came to church, etc, but then there was no explanation for why the missionaries stopped.  I called her two different times but she didn't answer.  Then on saturday my companion felt like we needed to look at the area book from 3 to 3:30 and I ran across her teaching record again.  There were tons of potentials, but for some reason hers wouldn't leave me.  I tried again but still no answer, so I jotted down her address in the off-chance that we had some time free on sunday between appointments.  Sunday rolls around, and we have about 1 hour.  We find the address and there are about 50 doorbells...we had no idea which one was hers.  Luckily someone let us in so we decide to knock ALL the doors.  After 20 minutes there was no luck, and then we knock on this door and a young woman answers.  My companion has already started to explain who we are, ''Salve, siamo sorelle missionarie della chiesa di Gesù Cristo...'' when I interrupt and ask ''Comè si chiama?''  (What's your name?)  She says, ''Beny.''  I respond animately ''Beny!  Just the person we were looking for!''  She replies, ''I know.  Come on in!''  Turns out she had lost her phone and then went to San Salvador for a few months, and had lost contact with the missionaries.  She had tons of questions like ''I made a promise to God that I wouldn't drink anymore.  But how can you make promises to God and still keep your friends?''  It was AWESOME!  She wants to see us, and read and pray about the Book of Mormon.  MIRACLE!

 

~Sorella Jacobson

More from Milan...

The work in Milan is just crazy!  There are so many people...every time we go to a park or knock on doors, we seem to have a lesson.  The only problem is that no one here really wants to commit because the gospel and its blessings means making changes.  We are constantly talking to people because you have to jump from bus to train to subway to get anywhere.  Hardly anyone is acutally Milanese, but from other cities or other countries.  But it gives the city a pretty cool metropolitan feel.  It's actually almost fun to talk to people, so that makes it easier to get a lot of contacts. 

 

For example this week:

1- Someone told me that my face was similar to the face of Jesus on the pass-along card I gave her...and that my companion's was more like Maria's.

2- We prayed with a Buddhist in her house, and she wants us to talk with her Buddhist group about our religion.

3- One man told us we were going to hell because we completely missed the message in the Bible, and that Christ's church has been in function for thousands of years.

4- We met a man who is starting his own religion, and as we prayed his wife saw a white light over my companion's head, which signifies purity and that she brings a message from God.

5- Last night we were ringing doorbells outside of a building, and when we said we had a message about Jesus Christ that we know is true and can bless her, she said, ''I believe you.  I don't think that you would lie.''  So she let us in and we taught the Restoration.

 

As you can see, every day is an adventure.  Thank heavens I have my companion, Sorella Padula.  She is indefatiguable.  But we also laugh a lot, too.  We already have a reputation for music because her voice is AMAZING.  President came to our sacrament meeting sunday to bring the new senior couple, and Sorella Wolfgramm said, ''Don't have too much fun.''  I told her we already broke that rule, so President said he would have to transfer us.  We turned to each other and said, ''Oh no, we absolutely despise each other, we cannot get along at all.'' He laughed and said he would have to keep us together until we get along.

 

There is an awesome family in the ward, the Astudillos.  They are from Ecquador.  The kids are so cute, always running to give us hugs and drawing pictures for us.  We had a lesson with their friends, Johnny and Karen and their six year old Gerald.  We taught the Restoration.  The next week, we met with them for another FHE and they had a million questions about the Book of Mormon.  We spent over an hour just answering questions like, ''Why do they call you mormons if you're Christian?'' and other really good questions.  At the end, they said, ''Now we are that much more interested to read and find out more.''  We were bummed because they said they couldn't come to church, but on sunday during sunday school, the door opens and they walk in with Fratello Astudillo!  They liked church and seem to be coming along really well.  It was a really neat blessing.

 

Yesterday was yet another holiday, and we went up to the Boy Scout camp to meet with the members and have a barbeque lunch.  It seems like the missionaries haven't worked much with members in the past, because everyone was so excited to have us there.  We were swamped the whole time talking to everyone, including some non-member friends.  We sang and shared a message along with the two elders in our ward.  We really feel that working with the members is key.  There is already a new excitement about missionary work in the air, and as we go and meet a few members every week, they tell us things like ''The missionaries haven't been here in over a year!'' and many and trying to invite friends over for an FHE.  It truly is the better way.  In fact, of every 1000 investigators, only 1 person will be baptized that is found by the missionaries.  But over 650 are baptized if they are friends and are taught in a members home. 

 

The other day I was reading in 3 Nefi 11 for the first time in a long time.  I read about becoming the sons and daughters of God, which has been on my mind a lot lately.  If we are already all children of our Heavenly Father, what does it mean to become sons and daughters of God?  As I kept looking, I found a cross-reference I had written in my English scriptures, in Moroni 10:33.  Because in order to become sons and daughters, we need to become more like Him.  Or as he commands, Be ye therefore perfect, even as I, or my Father in Heaven, is perfect.  This is what Moroni says,

 

And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye ^asanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the ^bblood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your ^csins, that ye become ^dholy, without spot. 

 

It is only through the Atonement that we truly become sons and daughters of God.  We can apply the redeeming power, cancelling our sins and errors.  But the sactifying power of the Atonement applies His grace and allows us to overcome our faults and character flaws, becoming a bit more Christlike each and every day.  I know that this is not only true, but I have experienced it daily out here in the mission field.  We are the only ones that can deny us access to the sanctification and purification of the Atonement of our Lord and Savior.  It is difficult and often painful to look at our weaknesses, but if we will but humble ourselves enough, they can become strengths as we prayerfully make the necessary changes to come closer to our Redeemer.  

I love you all!

 

Love,

Sarah

Life in Milan

Well, mom was right.  I already love Milano, almost against my will!  :-)  The Milanese are surprisingly open and it's relatively easy to start up a conversation in the bus, tram, metro, or trolley.  The city is just so huge, though.  It's faster to go to Bergamo than travel from one end of our zone to the other!  Plus, instead of a grid-like system, all of the streets are circular, which makes for a big headache transferring different modes of transportation all the time.  My companion comes from a very small city in Argentina, so I've kind of had to take over the directions, having more experience in Firenze, etc.  To our credit, we've only managed to get lost once!

 

My companion, Sorella Padula, is AWESOME!  She is funny but works so hard, constantly talking to people with such an energy and enthusiasm.  This area is ready for many miracles, and we know we just have to put in the effort in order to receive them.  She's had a pretty rough childhood, from the bits and pieces I've heard.  Coming from such a small town, she was called to be YW president at 18, and served in the RS presidency at 20.  However, she has such a rock solid testimony of the gospel.  Her Italian is excellent, and during language study she practices her English (which is already coming along really well) and teaches me some spanish.  I can understand a lot of Spanish, I just can't speak it yet.  And Milano is so metropolitan that we end up speaking Spanish quite a bit.  I've gotten as far as ''Yo soy Hermana Jacobson de la inglesia di JesùCristo de los santos de los ultimos dias.''  As you can see, I've still got a long ways to go!

 

We have a super sweet progressing investigator named Ruth who came to church for the first time on sunday.  I went with her while she changed her baby, and when I asked how she was doing she said, ''Great!  I read about 5 pages of the book you gave me, and I really like it.''  She then asked if the young men with the name tags could give her baby a blessing, because he's been sick.  One of the councilors in the bishopbric was able to do it.  We plan on inviting her with a date this week, so pray for her!

 

The ward is wonderful.  They were so open and inviting, that I already felt almost at home.  They had me play the piano and bear my testimony, and Sorella Modugno is currently here staying with a family due to health issues.  Thus, tons of people came up to me afterwards and said, ''So we hear you're the daughter of Slla Modugno.''  So she's already covered half the work for me.  :-)  One of our members picked up Ruth, and we've been setting up some FHEs with others so they can invite their friends over.  There's so much work to do!

 

~Sorella Jacobson

Hello Milano!

We've been waiting to hear where Sarah would be transferred.  Here's her new address:

Sorella Sarah Jacobson

c/o Scolletta

Via L. Bartolini 25

20155 Milano

Italy

The Details

Easter was wonderful.  Sorella Capelli gave us two giant easter eggs that I told you about, so we did a photo shoot with them in the morning before heading to church.  There was a special spirit at church, although at one point I missed the days of Elisa and I getting matching Easter dresses.  Afterwards, too many people wanted to have us over to eat so we had to go to a lunch and a dinner.  At the Sansoni's she had made a Peruvian dish that she knew I love, and hadn't eaten since Firenze.  It was so nice of her.  She said she had to try it out 4 times beforehand because she had never made it.  Later that night we had a really spiritual lesson with Rocio (who is the epitome of member missionary) and an inactive she had invited over.  Patrizia, the inactive, said that what hurt her the most was knowing the right things to do, and not doing it.  She said it was even painful to talk about the mission she had served because she knew she wasn't living worthy of who she should be.  It was a humbling moment.  And motivation to always live worthy of the trust these converts, members, and companions have.

Marisol continues to do well.  She was over at our members house when we came to do a family night, so we were able to teach her and her daughter again.  Did I tell you how we watched that really old Together Forever movie and she and her husband thought it was perfect.  The Lord is just really helping her see how the restored gospel truly is centered on families and how it can help hers overcome any challenges they may be facing. 

One morning, we only had two hours before we had to come back to plan for the next week.  I felt like we should go to two specific buildings on this specific street.  As we were walking, I had the feeling we would meet someone in bus number 6.  However, bus 11 came sooner and since it goes to the same place, we ended up taking it.  Something wasn't right, so I made my companion and I get off to wait for bus 6 (even though she probably thought I was crazy).  As we were waiting, I started talking to this young couple at the stop, who excused themselves because they had to take the bus, which ended up being bus 6!  So we chatted the whole time and I left an invite, while my companion was talking with the driver who somehow knows the missionaries.  We only had 5 minutes when we got off the bus, but the door to one of the buildings was open.  It would have been so easy just to wait for the bus, but I said, ''Come on, let's just do two doors.''  The first man wasn't too happy to see us, so after being rejected we knocked the second.  It ended up being a man who had received the sister missionaries before and left us his name, his wife's name, and their number so that we could call back and set up an appointment.  It was just one of those little things that reminds you that the Lord really is involved in even the smallest details. 

~Sorella Jacobson

A Musical Evening

We had our big music night on friday and it was an absolute hit.  The chapel was PACKED and Sorella Botta's voice was just AMAZING.  Everyone loved it.  They didn't want to introduce anyone by name so that the focus could be about the music, but at the end they made me come and introduce myself because according to them without me ''it wouldn't have been possible.''  I said, ''They say that when words fail, music speaks, so I hope you understood more from the music than what I will say.''  I briefly related how I started taking lessons at six, and then went on to study seriously with Dr. Winterton.  I said, ''Along with her help and my mom's occasional threatenings, music became something of my own - a passion.  I was able to play many concerts with various orchestras or choirs.  But notwithstanding all of that, my greatest performance I have the chance to take part in is what I am doing now as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.''  I was able to bear a brief testimony and ask them to come to us with any questions they may have.  Afterwards there was this huge potluck and everyone was chatting with us and making fun of us for our diet coke we brought to keep us awake.  (we didn't get home until midnight...and here most people think caffeine is part of the word of wisdom.)  It's okay, though, because they love the fact that we are somewhat in apostasy as missionaries.  Marlin (our new convert) even showed up with her boyfriend and sister...the first time she's been to the chapel in quite a while.

Miracle story: Rohelio!  We found him while doing our Blitz on Thursday (he's from the Philippines), and then had an appointment with him last night.  He told us that he had been praying for more faith, and asked us if we could help him have more faith in God.  He then told us how he always rides his bike to work, and for three weeks he always passed a bible sitting in the grass.  When no one else picked it up, he said it almost glowed one night as he was able to head home, so he took it as a sign that it was for him.  He cleaned off all the grass and sand and took it with him.  The next week, he had to have an operation, so he read the entire new testament while he was recovering in the hospital.  He told us, ''I think God led me to that book, and now He is maybe leading me to this book - The Book of Mormon - as well.''  I was thinking to myself, ''Wow, this is like one of those golden contacts you only read about in the Ensign!''  He then asked us a ton of questions about Joseph Smith, repentence, church, etc.  He asked if one could be forgiven after commiting adultery.  We assured him that with repentence and the help of priesthood leaders, such as a bishop, one could be forgiven.  He explained that his eldest daughter (who is living with him) had a child out of wedlock, so he wanted to ask us before he explained.  Many of his family members are struggling right now, and he blames himself, saying ''If I hadn't come to Italy to work, maybe this would not have happened.''  The gospel can help him so much!  He told us he is going to start reading and wants to come to church.

 Love you all!  Buona Pasqua!  (Happy Easter!)
~Sorella Jacobson

Are we His Sheep?

Sunday we had an amazing lesson with Marisol and her husband and daughter.  They have been having some major issues, but we brought along Bishop Botta and his wife.  As we all talked together, they expressed their very valid concerns about economic situations, etc.  As 22 and 23 year-olds, we don't have too much experience raising a family, dealing with debts, etc.  The Bottas bore powerful testimony about how the gospel provides the solutions and the means to live happily, even amidst trials and difficulties.  We talked about Moroni and the Title of Liberty, and how we must choose to stand up and protect and fight for what we believe in...most of all for our families.  It went a bit long, almost two hours, but at the end we invited them to start from the very beginning and pray as a family.  Marisol looked me in the eye as we were leaving with a look that is difficult to describe and said, ''Thank you.  And thank you for bringing them.''  We called her yesterday and asked if they had been able to pray and she said, ''Yes.  Thank you for sunday, it has already made a world of difference.''  And this coming from someone who wasn't very interested at the beginning, and now tries everything to arrange her busy schedule to see us.  Thank heavens for the Bottas and their willingness to dedicate themselves, leaving their family of 7 to do so many things for the church! 

Friday we had specialized training in Milano.  It was probably one of the very best we've ever been to.  At the end, we watched a talk by Elder Holland that he had given at the MTC.  He is the man.  He talked about Peter, and with Christ's death he knew he was somehow supposed to be in charge, but had no idea what to do.  In desperation, he turned to the only thing he was comfortable with, the only thing he knew how to do.  Speaking with his disciples, he may have said something like, ''Well, it's been great.  We've seen a lot of miracles, and learned a lot of things.  It was a wonderful three years.  Who wants to go fishing?''  And so they fished a long, dark night, not catching anything.  And as the morning light breaks, they see a figure on the shore, who asks them how it's gone.  Not too good.  He suggests that they cast the net on the right side.  I'm sure many complained, ''Well, who does this man think he is?  We've fished all night, casting it on the right side isn't going to do anything.''  But they do it anyway, and catch so much that they start to sink.

Recognizing that it is the Savior, Peter throws himself in the water and starts for shore.  There, the Savior, in His infinitely love, has prepared breakfast for all of them.  He asks Peter if he loves him.  He then asks him again.  The third time, Peter, who is very sensitive to the number three, is grieved that He is asking yet again.  The Lord, powerfully but directly, reminds him that he has a calling and a mission to accomplish.  ''Feed my sheep.''  It is time to leave the nets, the boats, and the oars for the second and final time.  Peter has made his choice.  There is no going back.  He cannot return to the life he knew before, but must become the disciple the Lord needs him to be.  There is no grey, only black or white.  He either loves the Savior or he does not.  And he will either follow the Savior or he will not.  And in that moment Peter became the great disciple, where people would drag their cots out into the streets so that even his shadow would fall upon them.

At the end of these two years or 18 months, a returned missionary may say ''Well, it's been a good 2 years or 18 months.  I've learned a lot.  Seen a bunch of miracles.  I'm a going fishing.''  Any convert or member can say it too.  ''Well, that was a great baptism.''  or ''That's great that I got married in the temple.''  But if we truly love our Savior, we CANNOT go back to the life we had before.  We must always remain true as disciples of Jesus Christ so that our investigators, our family, our husband or wife will always be able to look us in the eye and we will not be ashamed of who we have become.  We have been called and chosen and have to live up the the name we all have taken upon us.  There is no going back, only going on.  The Lord has much to ask of us yet.  Are we ready to feed his sheep, ourselves included?

With love,
Sorella Jacobson

Blessings of Baptism

No Greater Happiness

02-March-2012

Yesterday, while we were in the church waiting for our next lesson, it just so happened that Fratello Fichera was there.  He totally reminds me of my dad - seeimingly tough on the outside, but a teddy bear inside.  They both say what they mean, love to cook, and have similar mannerisms.  He gave me a blessing along with Anziano Sciaretta (the new elder who was with me in the MTC).  I don't quite know how to describe it, but as he put his hands on my head, I felt as if it really was MY father standing behind me.  He gave such a tender blessing, telling me how special I am and what an important work I am doing, over and over again.  He mentioned the special love that I have for this zone and these people, and how the Lord sees that.  He encouraged me to keep reading my scriptures and blessed me to heal quickly - I have just been feeling so tired lately.  After he finished, he even placed his hands on my shoulders, just like my dad always does.  The Lord truly is aware of us.

03-March-2012

This was one of the most beautiful baptisms I've ever experienced.  There was such a tender spirit.  I could hardly wait to finish English class, and then we ran down the stairs to find Anna already dressed with Sorella Pastano and her mom!  (How different she is with her southern Italian accent!)  We took pictures...Anna seemed to shine just as much as the white dress she was wearing.  AND THE WARD!  I had not gotten to know Bergamo 2 too much, but so many people came to support her, with hands full of food and flowers.  The whole chapel was filled with bright colors!

     After Monica (her niece) talked aobut baptism, I wqas priveleged to give the talk on the Holy Ghost.  The night before I had been stressing about what to say and couldn't get to sleep.  And then as it often happens, the Lord sent a brief outline into my mind and I fell asleep almost immediately.  I talked aobut how Anna is ''una donna retta'' or ''a righteous woman'' and how she embodies 2 Nefi 31:13 of acting with sincerity, without hypocrisy.  I talked aobut the blessings of the spirit and how Alma found inspiration to counsel his son from the guidance of the spirit - and how it would bless her children.  I did fine until the end when I started crying slightly and my voice cracked as I told her how special she was.  It must have truly been an inspired talk because so many members came up to thank me and tell me how natural it was.  

     And finally the baptism itself.  You could tell by the way she was already holding her nose that she was slightly nervous, but brother Robert Calvagna did excellent.  When she came up, she gave him a bitg hug and was smiling and laughing so wide, you just wouldn't even believe it.  Coming back into the room, she sat next to my companion and said, ''Sono nuova.''  (I'm new.)  She was invited to share her testimony and as she stood at the podium, a strength I've never seen before seemed to enter her frame.  She expressed gratitude to everyone and her new ward ''family.''  She then forcefully declared her desire to do her part to remain worthy of this promise and commitment.  It was so fervent, so sincere, there is no greater feeling as a missionary.  Afterwards, she came up to me and said, ''Non sono mai stata cosi felice nella mia vita.''  ''I've never been so happy in my entire life.''  As my call states, ''Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord is this labor of love among His children.''

There truly is no greater happiness.  I always agreed more with Aaron when Ammon is praising the Lord, that it was a little over the top.  But now I think I finally understand what he was talking about, and what it means to be filled with a joy so great that it exceeds your strength.  I cannot wait to see Anna many years down the road, and see what a tool she has been in converting friends and family, and in serving the Lord.  I cannot believe I was blessed enough to be a part of it!

Sorella Jacobson

Ever Onward

Monday night = best lesson ever.  At least, one of the best.  We went back to Daniela with one of my most favorite members, Sorella Capelli.  She and Daniela were a good match.  While we were sitting there drinking our tea (or rather, infusions) she asked Sorella Capelli about her conversion story.  She said she met the missionaries when she was 15, and now she's 50 - imagine that!

Anyway, we asked Daniela how reading Ether 12 went, and she turned to it to talk about each of the verses she had underlined - verses 4, 6, 27 all of the famous ones.  We all turned to each other with these looks on our faces like ''And why isn't she a member yet?''  We then had a super sweet plan of salvation lesson, and Sorella Capelli was able to relate it to real life and how it's blessed her.  I think Daniela really connected with it.  She's planning on coming to church on sunday, has already talked with her mom who might be interested in receiving us, and inclined her head yes when I asked if she would be baptized.  I'm really excited for her!

The work is continuing to progress as well as my faith. About 7 of 9 lessons have fallen through in the past two days, but just as I started to worry, the Lord put us in the path of those we were able to teach first lessons to with return appointments.  I really just need to learn to put my trust in Him, which has always been a hard thing for me to do.

the Sweetest Days

Saturday was just a sweet day.  We were going out to proselyte, and I felt like we should switch the zones we had planned on.  We're walking towards taking the tram when we see a lady in the park, so we deviate to stop and talk with her.  We ended up teaching her all about the Book of Mormon and praying together.  She's actually not from Bergamo, but we're going to follow up on her.  About ten minutes later, the elders call with an urgent request for us to go and finish filling up the font for a baptism of an 8 year old.  We were somewhat bummed, but went back and got our area book to look through while we were waiting.  The day before, our washing machine broke, and two days before our phone broke...so these three things gave us the chance to do area book work for the first time in my mission.  We ended up calling tons of people, some of whom said some not-so-nice words, but it all was worth it in the end because we found Daniela and Irma.

Irma we set up to meet sunday night.  At first we started to get frustrated, because she kept giving us confusing directions.  First she wasn't at the address she said, then she sent us further down the street, then said, ''Hey, you're at the pharmacy now, right?  Okay, now turn back and come towards the bridge...''  (grumble, grumble)  But we finally got to see her at this doener kebab place with her two friends.  It was one of the coolest lessons!  Her friends kept asking us all these questions about why we were different, what the book of mormon was, why joseph smith is important and why they hadn't heard of him before.  The best part was Irma stepping in, and bearing testimony  to her friends, and we had just met her!  She kept saying things like, ''Yeah, I went to their church once, and it's the best church I've ever been to.  They're really united, but from all over...Italians, Ecuadorians, Bolivians, Americans...but they don't let you fall down.  If you fall, they pick you right back up.''  She even talked about why it just made sense that Joseph Smith was a prophet who restored Christ's church.  It was AMAZING!  We then saw her on the bus two days later (coincidence, I think not!) and she said she was talking to her daughter and her daughter said, ''Come on, mom!  Can we please go to church with them on Sunday?"  Her daughter's 17.  So we're meeting up with them before english class sunday to teach them, then we're all going to english class together.

Daniela is 32 ish, Italian, and lives by the old part of town.  It had been about 2 years since she had met with the missionaries last.  When we walked in, she had her Book of Mormon and Restoration pamphlet already out on the table.  I asked her why she accepted to see us again when we called, and she said she always felt good and liked it when the missionaries came, and didn't understand why they stopped after just 2 or 3 times.  She's super cool, works for the government, and has some interesting ideas about faith.  She accepted to read the book of mormon and pray about it.  She can't come to church this week, but wants to come the following.

And if that isn't enough, there was English class Sunday where the Italian family that we accidently found when we were knocking doors came up to us and asked if we could come see them again.  We have an appointment with them in about an hour.  And then if that isn't enough, Rocco, the dad of our other Italian family, came to church on Sunday!  It was his first time in church.  We couldn't sit by him but our member who's been coming to the lessons jumped right on it, answering his questions afterwards, and the bishop went right up to him, too.  It was a sacrament meeting dedicated to seminary, so all of our teenagers were up there talking about it, bearing testimony, etc.  He said that he liked it a lot, and needed to bring his wife and daughter the next time.  Maybe it isn't the three weeks and then baptism, but they're making progress!

There are so many other stories to tell, but I'll have to cut it short.  Needless to say, sometimes the Lord just tests our patience before we can receive the blessings He's prepared for us.  There's also something else I wanted to be sure to include that I wrote after reading Elisa's talk as I was writing to Stephanie (so I apologize in advance to Steph when she rereads this):

I have realized just how aware the Lord is of us and our individual needs.  He is constantly sending us opportunities for growth...usually disguised as trials...to help us become His sons and daughters.  It's just up to us to use our agency and choose to take it in stride, or instead to lament and complain and let those opportunities slide by.  I have seen that so clearly here on the mission.  There are so many people prepared and ready for the blessings of the restored gospel - but it is and never has been easy.  And so you're saddened and may even cry a bit when they choose to settle for less, but there is no greater reason to rejoice when they choose to accept it.

And then the great and wonderful journey begins.  A journey full of potholes, delays, mists of darkness, and jeering mobs.  Membership in the church is not a guarantee...a pass to happiness or your money back.  Just after Moses saw one of the grandest visions of all time, the adversary immediately came to try and take away from that divine experience.  Or think of all the trials and tribulations Joseph had to wade through after seeing God the Father and His beloved Son.  There were times when even he cried out, "Oh God, where art thou?"  Even Moses, one of the greatest prophets of all, "began to fear exceedingly."  All of us will have our dark moments, our moments of Gethsemane.  At certain times in our lives, we will all cry out "Where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?"  But it is what happens next that will distinguish us as true disciples of Christ.  Will we allow the mists to overtake us or give in to the jeering, feeling "ashamed" and "following into forbidden paths" after having already partaken of the fruit?  Or will we "exert all our powers to call upon God," our loving Heavenly Father, relying upon the merits of His divinely given Son - He who has already descended below all things?  I testify with all my being that as we do so, glorious light will fill our lives...Satan will depart...and we too shall hear "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes."

I know this is true.  The Savior lives.  He will never abandon us, if we will just reach out and call upon him in our times of need, exerting all our efforts to place feelings of negativity, doubt, or despair behind us.  I love you all so much!

Happy Heart Day

Sarah and her new companion enjoying the best hot chocolate you can imagine!!

ANNA CHOSE HER BAPTISMAL DATE!  Woo hoo!  We were having our missionary correlation meeting when we heard her come in, so we slipped out to go say hi.  She was absolutely beaming as she said, ''Sisters, I've chosen the date.''  She then turned to the entire relief society and announced that she wants to be baptized the first week in March.  Everyone started screaming in our feminine way, and then there were so many hugs going around, you couldn't even tell who you were hugging.  Thus, she will have NO problems integrating in the ward, because they already love her.  We took another member in addition to her niece the last time, and they are way good friends now.  I'm so excited for her.  The commandments are not easy - like tithing when you're barely making ends meet - but when I gave her 10 M&Ms and asked for one back, she said, ''I want to give them ALL back to you.''  I bore testimony about mom going back to school, and how we always made it because mom and dad paid tithing first, in addition to all the sacrifices dad made.  I know that the blessings far outweigh the cost!

This last week was a bit difficult because of the snow and everyone being sick.  We weren't able to see 7 of our investigators, but hopefully we'll be able to see them this week.  We were able to meet with Rachel, a new investigator, who had a really powerful conversion story in the Catholic church.  At first we were worried, because she said she couldn't believe in the first vision.  But then she said it made sense that there would be another testament of Jesus Christ, and she wanted to read the Book of Mormon and find out if it was true.  We meet with her again tomorrow.  We also met Goldy and were able to talk with her on the street about how this message could bless her family.  She kept telling us that she wanted to come to church, so we invited her this sunday.  I also met Giovanna on the bus yesterday, who told me about her brother who's had his fourth operation on his heart.  I briefly explained that when my mom was in the hospital for heart problems, it was our faith and the power of prayer that helped us overcome our fears.  She called me a ''guardian angel'' and said that it was inspired that I sat down and talked with her.  She wants to hear more about our message with her husband.  So the Lord keeps sending us people, despite the snow and the cold.  

Hopefully I'll have more news for you next week.  I absolutely love this city, especially the members (one family who we've only been to once gave us a ride last night at 9:30 after we desperately called them from the other part of the city because there were no more buses).  My companion is awesome, and the work is just going to continue to grow.  

Love you all.  Happy Valentine's Day!

A New Companion

Sarah's last two emails have been late in coming for a good reason - she headed to Milan to pick up a new missionary to train.  Lucky for her, Richard is also training a new missionary this transfer so they are enjoying the excitement and miracles training brings.  Here is what she wrote:

The miracle of the week was when one Sofia came to church. She is the daugher of my favorite members, who has made some wrong choices. We had dinner with her and her family, and went shopping with her on pday the week before. I was there playing the sacrament him when her mom and I both looked at the back doors, then the mom caught my eye and winked because she had come. It's so easy to stop going, and so hard to stop coming back. But there are so many blessings that come when we do.

We had two cool experiences teaching the Plan of Salvation this week, one with Anna and the other with Rocco and his family. The restored truth of eternal families is one of the most precious truths the gospel has to offer. As we testified of the chance of seeing our deceased loved ones again, the spirit was so strong. The temple really is the goal, not just baptism. Like President Monson said, we have not fully experienced all of the blessings of the gospel until we enter the temple together with our loved ones. How grateful I am that we have the chance to be together for all eternity, and not just for this life.

I have a wonderful new companion, Sorella Bush from Wisconsin.  (See picture)  Her Italian is already almost better than mine!  Her dad served in Southern Italy over 30 years ago, and she took a bit at the Y (but thankfully like me she is not a cougar!)  She is a wonderful teacher and willing to try new things.  Her dad owns a canoe shop, so she loves the outdoors - hence we get along really well.  She has a younger brother that's just finishing his papers, so she'll be like me and Rich.  It's super sweet to use my sarcasm again, and I am learning so much from her.  She is just what Bergamo needs.  Plus, I really love the new 12 week program that gives us more companionship study time to do role plays, etc, so we can immediately put it into practice.

With my new companion, we are seeing miracles.  We had a sweet lesson with Rocco, Bruna, and Elena about the Book of Mormon yesterday.  They weren't reading, so we read about the seed in Alma 32, and the need to nourish ourselves spiritually every day.  They came up with the plan to read together for 10 minutes at dinner every night.  They then commented how much prayer has made a difference in their home.  Rocco said, ''I even prayed for the Sorelle missionaries, that they would be tranquil, and that that Sorella Pastano would get home safely.''  Please keep praying for them.  They would be such a strength to the church here.

Speaking of the church, they are breaking from 2 wards and forming yet another branch.  This is the first province to do so.  Everyone has started to catch missionary fever and are helping us out a bunch.  Last week, we had a member present at every one of our progressing investigators.  We also had an inactive young woman call us and tell us that she wants to take the lessons because she wants to come back to church.  On sunday, one of our members brought a friend to church who had never been and has never met the missionaries before, and we went to young women's with her.  It's so neat to be a part of the growth here in Bergamo.  And we have more invitations to members than we can handle, because we need time to see our investigators, too!

It is so humbling how much the Lord is teaching me right now.  Training this time is much different than the last.  I've had to grow my faith so much more than before, realizing that it is literally impossible without His help.  My prayers have become much more fervent, and my desire to serve with all of my heart, might, mind and strength has increased.  And the Lord is multiplying our small efforts into many miracles.  For example, last week I was worried about making it to 20 lessons when we had 8 to go with only three planned in two days.  I learned to hard way to trust in Him completely.  That saturday, as we were walking around knocking doors, people didn't even respond on the telephone but we just received ''click'' after ''click'' as they let us in.  As we walked up to one door, the lady opened and said, ''Come on in.'' without even an introduction.  We were able to teach them about the Book of Mormon.  That night I thanked my Heavenly Father for doing that which I could not, as we reached 21 lessons.  

I've reflected a lot on the story of Enos.  He does his best, putting in the effort to climb the tallest mountain and then molten out 16 stones.  Most likely he didn't get all 16 right the first time.  And then after all that time and effort, he humbly comes before the Lord, telling Him that it may not be the best plan or course of action, but that it was the best he could come up with.  All he expects is for the Lord to touch the stones.  But then the Lord blesses him beyond measure, beyond his expections, and he is privelged to see the Lord.  Instead of simply receiving the light he was in need of, he saw the Light and Life of the world, our Savior.  It can be so with us. As we do our part, doing the best we can and humbly asking the Lord to make up the difference, He will bless us beyond our wildest dreams.  After all, we are His children.

-Sorella Jacobson

The Power of Prayer

The Lord continues to bless us with miracles with our new Italian family who are investigating.  I was able to talk with the mom a bit about her gregorian music (thanks to my music class at BYU).  She's legitamate...she gave us a couple of CDs they had recorded.  We had another great lesson with them about the first part of the plan of salvation.  They kept thanking us for giving them a perspective they have never had.  The mom said, ''In 20 years, you are the only ones to enter our home.''  The dad is super intelligent and very rational, but the thing that pushed him to let us come back was the prayer we had on the doorstep with him the first time we met him.  He now prays every time, and says that although he cannot explain it scientifically, he feels something.  

It's amazing how powerful prayer can be.  It's something we take forgranted, always having known how to pray.  But like the Bible Dictionary says, once we understand our relationship with our Heavenly Father, prayer becomes natural.  This also helped one of our new investigators, Ingrid.  We came to her house for a first lesson, and she mainly just needed to talk, so we left a short message about prayer with the invitation to pray.  She's a single mom whose fiancè passed away, and is always running around trying to make ends meet.  When I called her a few days later, she said, ''Guess what?  I prayed and something amazing happened.  It worked!  It actually worked.  My baby slept through the night for the first time.  I am able to get things done.  I feel so much more tranquil.''  We were able to go back and teach more about the restoration and the book of mormon.  But it was the prayer that changed her heart.

Anna came to church for the second time and talked with the bishop about how she wants to be baptized.  We prayed about a date for her, but felt we should leave it up to her to choose.  When we told her to pray about a date, she was really relieved.  She said, ''I told my niece that I wanted to pick the date.''  I think my companion was inspired to let her choose instead of us choosing for her.  We also have another couple who are preparing to get baptized the end of February.  At first we were just teaching the wife, but then the husband's mother passed away (she was a member) and so he started listening to us too.  He was the one to accept and kept telling his wife in regards to a baptismal date ''Devi pregare'' or ''You need to pray.''  Of course we wish it didn't have to happen, but trials bring us closer to our Heavenly Father.  

I was thinking this week about the roller coaster in Disneyland's California Adventures, and was thinking that the mission is a lot like that roller coaster.  It gently comes around the curve, and then all of the sudden you shoot off at high speeds.  From then on, you don't know whether to laugh or cry, open or shut your eyes, know which way is up or which is down.  There are moments when you wish it would all just end, and then others when you know the end will come all too soon and you wish you could keep going on forever.  But at most, the best you can do is just keep holding on and enjoy it as best you can.  There are many suprises and sudden turns you don't anticipate, but somehow after walking off with shaking legs, slightly nausiated, you get right back in line.  I remember when Richard and I went 6 times in a row.  I guess you could call us crazy, but I'm glad he's sitting alongside me for this wild ride. 


Sorella Jacobson

Update from Sister Jacobson

First off, my apologizes for the lack of posts in recent weeks.  I was locked out of Sarah's account for a bit and couldn't post anything.  But we did talk to her on Christmas and she sounds wonderful.  She is still in Bergamo and does get mail there every so often so please keep writing.  The miracles there continue - here are her latest emails below...

With the new year, the Lord has also brought in new blessings!  Sunday night we were a little discouraged because our investigator pool wasn't very big, plus none of our investigators made it to church.  We were out doing casa for the last hour and a half.  We decided to pray to know where to go, and instead of turning like we had planned to go to a different suburb, I felt like we needed to go straight.  We stopped at a few places without success, and then were in one building where a man said some not-so-kind words and threw us out.  We only had about ten minutes left and were debating what to do when I said, ''What's the worst that can happen, they can tell us to leave as well.''  We walked to the next building to find the door open, and the elevator waiting for us.  Luigi opened the door in his pajamas and talked to us for 20 minutes about the Book of Mormon.  He kept asking us a million questions and at the end we asked if we could pray with him.  He then invited us in where his wife had been on the phone, but hung up to talk with us.  She was even more curious then her husband, asking so many questions that we kept telling them we'd have to come back to answer them.  9:00 passed, then 9:10, then 9:20.  We then told them we absolutely had to leave for safety, but we didn't want to because there was such a spirit and also they were so hilarious that we were laughing almost the entire time.  

And the next miracle?  Another Italian family!  We had run into the father before Christmas, but with the holidays they had been too busy to meet with us.  We finally had an appointment with him again monday with his wife and ten year-old daughter.  They have investigated many different religious groups, and at the end Rocco (the dad) told me that everyone has god, has faith, has prayer, and has scriptures whether it's the Koran, Book of Mormon, Bible, etc.  I don't know where it came from, but I just told him straight up that yes, everyone has those things, but the thing that sets us apart is a modern prophet to lead and guide the children of men who receives direct revelation from God.  I told him that I had studied various religions as well, and scriptural texts are always limited to human interpretation.  However, a church led by God has continual direction and revelation, so there never is confusion or differences in interpretation.  There was a silence for a few seconds after, and it set in that maybe I had been a bit too bold.  Then Rocco quietly said, ''There's a prophet today?''  They then agreed to read Alma 32, pray as a family, and come to FHE - something they had politely refused before.  Rocco then asked his daughter to say the closing prayer, but she didn't want to so my companion said, ''Why don't you show your daughter how to pray.''  Rocco then said a very short but very sincere prayer.  He said that he had never prayed like that before, but that he felt something different as he prayed.  

These are just two examples of the miracles the Lord is blessing us with.  There are so many people He is preparing for this good news!  We are getting so many golden contacts each day, some of which turn into lessons and some of which don't.  For example, yesterday one of our senior couples called us with the number of a woman who wants to be baptized because her brother is a bishop in Ghana.  She had previously taken lessons and come to church, then had to leave for work, and now is back.  I am so excited for how He is blessing the work in Bergamo!

Time is going so fast that I hardly now what to tell you.  We met with one of our Italian families again, Rocco and his family, after seeing them at ice skating.  They also came to the ward family home evening.  Last night one of our members came with us whom they had met at FHE, and we were able to explain more about the restoration.  We then challenged them to baptism and the dad said, ''It would only be logical to be baptised after we received an answer.''  They are so awesome, and very informed.  They've met with Jehovah's Witnesses before, read parts of the Koran and other religious books, etc.  When I said we wanted to read from the Bible they went to their library and came back with about 5 different versions.  The wife had even checked up on the internet and asked us about the word of wisdom, etc.  She studied music at the university and teaches how to sing gregorian chants.  Please pray for them!  The daughter is hilarious, but also gives these one liners that are just so inspired.  I think she will be a great help for her family.  Last night I could tell she wanted her own copy of the Book of Mormon, so I asked if I could leave one for her.  She said, ''I don't really know why, but I just love it when you guys come over.  Hope to see you soon!'' 

Another miracle is the miracle of Anna.  She had come with her niece to one of the baptisms in the other ward, and then stayed for the Relief Society dinner where we got her number.  She was super difficult to contact, and we weren't able to see her during the holidays.  So finally we called her niece who arranged a meeting for us.  When we walked in, she had cooked dinner for us.  We started eating, and my companion asked the niece how she came to know the church.  That started the whole dinner off on a conversation about the gospel.  Instead of talking about other things, like the weather, Anna was talking about her religious background, experiences she had had to know there was a God, how she was Catholic but always felt that something was off, etc.  Meanwhile the niece was sharing stories and bearing testimony about anything from the Word of Wisdom, to young adult activies, etc.  Towards the end, Anna said, ''I want to know everything.  After seeing my niece all these years, I know this is what I need to do.  I want to read the Book of Mormon, and can I come to church sunday?  I also want the missionaries to find my daughter in Bolivia.''  We briefly explained the Book of Mormon, and she accepted to be baptized!  Richard's right, member referrals are the best!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful NEW YEAR!