Off to Italy!

A quick note:
This is the last email we'll get from Sarah before she departs for Milan.  If you are sending her any mail, please make sure it arrives at the MTC by next Monday.  Sarah flies out early Tuesday morning for Milan, actually arriving there the next day - her birthday!

As soon as we receive her mission address in Milan, we'll forward it on.  In the meantime, send all mail to the mission home.

There's really not much to report from this front, besides all of us getting anxious to head out.  It's weird to think that it's been almost two months.  We're all planning on what type of food we want to eat at the airports and such.  I'd love 5 Guys but I don't think that will happen.  ha ha ha

 

Last night Elder Neal L. Andersen came.  Apparently having 3 apostles is a pretty big deal.  It's been awesome, though.  He had some really interesting thoughts on the Atonement.  He talked about the merits, mercy, and grace that saves us.  The merits of the Atonement is the fact that we will overcome death and be resurrected, no matter our works.  Because Christ rose from the grave and broke the bonds of death, He did so for all men.  The mercy refers to our sins and the opportunity to be purified in order to reenter the presence of our father in heaven.  He talked about how our sins our lifted from us as we apply the atoning power and that the Lord will remember them no more.  He related the relief in knowing that we have been forgiven for those things that we wish we had not done.  I want to add my testimony of the power of repentance and how it leads us to be born again in Christ, to becoming pure and clean so that we can have eternal happiness and joy instead of sorrow and regret.  My favorite part was when he talked about the grace of the Atonement.  This is the strengthening and enabling power that helps us become someone we are incapable of being ourselves, of reaching higher planes that are out of our reach.  The Atonement can not only lift our sins, but lift our lives.  We can become more righteous and good than we ever thought possible if we will allow it to work in our lives. 

 

Everything in the gospel centers on Christ because it is His gospel.  Elder Andersen said that at the last day, the missionary badges we now wear will be badges of honor because we were special witnesses of Christ.  That is our purpose.  Our service as missionaries is perhaps the most important thing we will ever do, both for those we serve and ourselves.  It honestly becomes a part of you and just as Jesus Christ is written right next to your name, you come closer to him than ever before.  Elder Andersen also said we were just like the apostles (which left me incredulous) because we are dedicating all of our talents, time, and ability to the Lord.  I am grateful for the opportunity to wear this tag not because it means I am any better than someone else or somehow "elite" but because I can focus completely on Christ, bearing testimony of Him, and bringing others unto Him.  He truly is the only way that salvation comes.  It reminds me of 2 Nephi 25:26 "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ...that our children may know where to look for a remission of their sins."  (not exact translation)  We have a loving Heavenly Father whose sole purpose is us.  To bring us happiness and eternal joy which is obtained by living according to the doctrine of Christ so we may return to live with Him. 

 

I know now more than I've ever known before that our Savior lives.  I know it with my entire heart and soul.  He lived, He died, and most important He rose again so that through Him we may live again in every way imaginable.  His way is the only way that we can ever have the peace and happiness our Heavenly Father yearns for us to have.  He waits with open arms to receive us if we will but come to Him.

 

~Sorella Jacobson

Life in Italian

Here's Sarah's email from Week 5:

(I did fix the English - either she was typing REALLY fast or she's already forgetting her mother tongue!)

 

Guess who got to give a talk in Italian in church this week?  Yes.  We have to write one every week and then they randomly pick two of us.  Thankfully one of the sisters gave me a heads up because she thought she saw my name on the program, so I had about 5 minutes to read through mine.  Thankfully I discovered that I can still be sarcastic in Italian.  I got up there and said, "Voi siete felice perche sono qui, ma uno giorno..." ("You're all happy because I'm the one standing here, but one day...") to which they all laughed.  One of the members of the presidency must have been dying because he's a former Army guy, complete letter to the law serious, and I want to run and hide every time I see him.  Anyway, I was shaking inside but this is where the gift of tongues really kicks in if you're prepared.  Although I was saying the words, I could tell that what actually came from the microphone sounded MUCH better than I felt.  To my surprise, it was pretty fluent and someone who's studied Italian even complimented me on my accent.  Plus, everyone understood it.  I was pretty shocked but it definitely wasn't me speaking up there.

 

Another cool experience happened in the TRC.  This week EVERYTHING was in Italian, including the first lesson.  Sorella Baker and I walked in to teach this sister and she talked faster than I ever thought was possible.  We found out later that she's actually Italian, and isn't even a student or anything.  She's just here in the US for a few weeks visiting and then is headed right back to Italy.  Thankfully no one told us that beforehand or I probably would have quit right there and gone home.  (Scherzo, kidding!)  It was interesting because even though the lesson wasn't "perfect" and didn't go as well as I would have wanted language wise, it went even better because the Lord said, "Here, let me show you how it's done."  My companion couldn't even speak at one point and she told me after it's because it was the first time she's really felt the spirit in Italian.  I can't describe what it was like to look in "Elisa's" (ironic, I know) face and actually see her.  Actually see her.  And watch her eyes fill with tears as the Spirit bore testimony through me in my imperfect Italian.  After we finished, we were about to leave when she asked us to stay.  Her English was probably a bit better than our Italian but only a bit.  She told us that she felt prompted to tell us about her conversion.  The first time she met with the Elders, one of them was visibly struggling with the language and could hardly speak.  However, it was HIS testimony that touched her and changed her life, as imperfect and incorrect as it was.  She told us to stop worrying about being perfect in the language and to focus on bearing testimony.  There are people in Italy waiting just for us.  In her words, "There are specific people waiting for you, Sorella Giacobson.  Just for you.  Please..."  Even though the barrier of language came up then, I knew exactly what she was saying.  That one simple word, "Please..." has literally changed everything.  I just knew.  There is no other way to put it.  I know my purpose, I know why I'm here, and I know why I am to fulfill that purpose in Italy rather than any other place in the world.  How great is my calling.  How grateful I am that this is His work and that He is with me every step of the way.  What a privilege to have a third companion who is a member of the Godhead. 

 

"If there are any missionaries who are getting the most help right now, it's the Italian missionaries because there's a temple going up in Rome and the Italian people need to know."  -Hermana Anderson

 

I never thought it was possible to feel this way about Italy and the Italian people.  I thought I felt the joy that comes from the gospel but it's nothing compared to what I am and will experience now.  Thank you for helping me have this opportunity, for it is the foundation of the rest of my life and a foundation that will build something more magnificent that I could have ever imagined.

Tradition

Some years ago - about five or so - Spencer and I sat in the MTC together preparing to head to Germany.  I thought it would be fantastic to do a musical number and what could be more fantastic than an Elder AND a Sister playing together?  If people didn't know we were related, it would create quite the scandal!  So we did our little duet, and it was awesome, and we'll always remember it.

So of course Sarah had to one-up us and play in front of a bigger and better crowd!  Here's an excerpt from a letter I got this week:

In other news, I tried out for a musical number with my arrangement on Thursday and promptly got a note in my mailbox the next day saying that I was scheduled to play in the Sunday Devotional.  Thus, my little piece for family and friends was performed in front of 2,000+ people which included Chad Lewis and Vai Sikahema (Eagles Football.)  I got to shake hands with both of them (Chad Lewis is SO tall!) and they both complimented me.  How many people can say that?  Ha ha, this is bordering on pride so maybe we should move on.  My hands were shaking so terribly it's a miracle I got through it at all!

 

And if you thought Sarah had changed at all, here's the little joke she came up with in honor of April Fool's:

 

My companion had to go to Chicago this week because of visa issues so I was a "solo" sister for a day.  It was perfect because it just so happened to be April Fool's.  After studying with some other sisters, I walked into class and asked the Anzaini if I could say something: "I'm somewhat glad Sorella Baker is gone today because I've been struggling with something and haven't had the courage to tell her yet.  My significant other has written and asked me to stay and marry him instead of leaving *dramatic pause* and I think I'm going to do it."  Oh my word!  They ate it right up.  They asked all these questions and I had this story all planned out for them.  We kept it up for a couple days but after the YW Broadcast talk on honesty I finally gave in because I knew the spirit wouldn't help me perform on Sunday if I wasn't completely honest in my dealings.  We were going to transfer the "solo" sticker to Sorella Baker on Monday and have her walk in alone but alas, it was not meant to be.  So yes, I am kind of a rebel missionary if such a thing exists.  They were so happy/mad/astounded/speechless when they found out.

Buon Giorno‏ from the MTC!

Here's an excerpt from the email Sarah just sent from the MTC:

(***Note: Like every missionary, she is requesting letters so please use the MTC address on the blog or log on to www.dearelder.com and sent her a letter that way - it's free!***)

My Companion:

 

Sorella (Sister) Baker is awesome!  I know that the Lord knows each of us because he gave me the best companion possible.  She is just like me...she is sarcastic, fun, and when we both pulled out our gym shorts to sleep in the first night, we knew we'd get along just great.  It's only been 6 days yet we are already great friends.  She's from Minnesota and played softball, soccer, and basketball.  I've already laughed so hard I've cried.

 

My District:

 

The Anziani (Elders) in our district are pretty great.  They were a bit quiet at fitst but then they realized that we sisters actually are normal and can have fun.  We've now started to bond and all of them are unique with great senses of humor.  Sorella Baker and I played basketball with a bunch of them the other day and I took an elbow to the face...it was then we knew that we were accepted. 

 

The Language:

 

We're one of the first groups for the new pilot program for language.  The minute I stepped into the classroom they've spoken Italian and no English.  I am amazed by how successful it's been.  We already understand almost everything; we can pray, introduce ourselves and give a message, bear testimony, and a few other things.  I know that the gift of tongues is real because we've learned almost 6 months of material in a week.  The elders and sisters ahead of us were the very first to start the program and they said the difference between the group that left before them and themselves is huge.  I love Italian already - sometimes a few German words slip in but it's pretty awesome. 

 

The MTC:

 

I sometimes feel a bit caged in but overall it's not too bad.  They always have really good salads and wraps to eat along with their hot food.  We're in class for almost 10 hours a day and then the rest is spent in meetings, devotionals, gym, etc.  It's nice to be back in "school" even though the classes are 10 times more accelerated than any class I've taken in college.  Every minute of every day is scheduled so there is no such thing as free time, which is probably for the best.  The other sisters that live in our room and around us are also way cool.  From the get-go the older sisters have been so welcoming and nice that it's been amazing.  Apparently they've been waiting for more missionaries for a couple weeks.  They had our beds made and keep doing all these nice things for us.  It's been like having older brothers and sisters to watch out for us.  The Italians as a group are really close, we eat together, sit together, even when we don't have to.  Our branch presidency for church is a bit intimidating but it seems to be how they show our love for us.  We give our talks in Italian starting this week so that will be interesting.  If all else fails we can always just bear a long testimony!

 

Most Important:

 

I think I'm starting to understand what Elisa said about it being the hardest but most rewarding experience you'll have.  It's been more difficult than I initially imagined, but it's also been even better than I thought.  I've only had one rough day and even then it didn't last very long; Sorella Baker was great in just listening and letting me tell her all about my family.  It's hard to describe the MTC, it is unlike anything I have or probably will experience.  You are lauded for doing as well as you are, but there's always a push to be even better.  It's very rigourous but when I look back on everything I've learned in one week already, it's overwhelming.

 

In Hebrews it says that the Lord chasteneth whom He loveth.  I've realized that the MTC, the language, and the classes are so strenuous because it is the Lord's expression of love for His missionaries.  He gives us the trials and experiences we need so that we can become the best possible missionaries instead of just young kids on a mission.  Trials are but well-disguised opportunites for growth.  Only our Heavenly Father can see our potential.  He gives us them so He can encourage us - push us a little harder and make us climb a bit higher than we would ourselves.  Trough this He strengthens those spiritual muscles that will be vital for us to endure to the end as we run the race of life.  And when fatigue or exhaustion or opposition threaten to retard our progress, we can drink fromt he fountain of living water and through Christ's Atonement be renewed.  The Lord will never give up on us.  We determine the rest.

 

I know that sometimes my muscles may be a bit sore, but I would never take back the race I'm running in the MTC.  It has allowed me to truly experience relying on the Lord as I never have before and I've run faster than ever.  It's not about me, it's about gaining love and charity and understanding so I can bring the Italian people to Christ.  The good far outweighs the hard and even the hard turns to good.  I love you all. Thanks for your love and support.  Keep the faith!

MTC Address

Thanks for all of your love and support as I soon depart for the MTC.  My address there is as follows:

Sister Sarah Bryanne Jacobson
MTC Mailbox # 106
ITA-MIL 0518
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

I'd love to hear from you!

Mission Call

November 30, 2010

Dear Sister Jacobson:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  You are assigned to labor in the Italy Milan Mission.  It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.

You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, March 16, 2011.  You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Italian language...

Sincerely,

Thomas S. Monson
President