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