Capuchins

Dear family,

I am alive. Today is P-day, because yesterday was Pasquetta (day after Easter), which means everything was shut down, which MEANS...yesterday was Deep Cleaning Day. So, we cleaned...and cleaned...and cleaned... :)

It felt good to do some Spring Cleaning. It was liberating to get rid of things that I don't need anymore. Since I have three weeks left, it was a good opportunity to get some things organized. Hopefully that will make packing a little easier.

Last week, for Pday....was awesome. There is a church here in Rome which is actually a Capuchin museum now. Capuchins were the hooded priests. Anyway...it is pretty dang cool. It is nicknamed the Bone church, because there is a sanctuary, where everything is made out of human bones. Even the lamp holders were bones. The story is that there was a guy who was basically in hiding at this church, and he got permission to make artwork out of the bones that were priests and poor people. Crazy, huh? It basically looks like a scene from one of those forensic criminal shows. It's pretty graphic, but one of the coolest things I've seen.

For Easter, we had lunch with an American family. On the mission, to be invited over by an American family is one of THE best things. It was pretty traditional, with ham and potatoes. Then, we went over and had dinner with a Romanian family. Lots of pasta, lamb, and other meats. All the food I had for Easter was really good.

There was a stake missionary activity this week for the youth. We went out on Saturday morning, with some of the young women, and did some finding, and door to door. I was with Sorella Zio, one of the sisters in my apartment, and three of the 17 year old young women. One man opened his door, and we asked if we could share an Easter message, and HE SAID YES!!! It was so great. The girls were so excited that we were let in, and that they were able to share their testimonies. The girls thought it was really cool that the only reason we were able to go in, was because they were there (We can't go into an apartment by ourselves with a single man). They felt really important. Then we did a lesson at the church with an investigator. After, the girls said they all wanted to serve missions, and that they had a lot of fun. It was really cool to be able to be an example and a role model for the young women. One of the girls that came with us doesn't have sisters in her ward (she's living in the Napoli area), so she has never gone out with the sisters. This was really an awesome thing.

I also did an exchange this week with the sisters in Ladispoli!! I was able to see the ocean! That's one of the downsides of Rome...No ocean! It was cool because the sand was black. Anyway, the exchange was good.

As far as Lizbeth and Michael, they are still on track to get baptized, but it will probably be May 4th, because Lizbeth has work now. I love how when people start doing the right thing, they get blessed, but at the same time, it was a lot easier when we could just go over to their house whenever we wanted. Ah well, it will all work out. :)

Love,

Sorella Worsham

A Reminder From Cosenza

Dear family,

This week was a good one, also still hard with the shoulder.

To those who are wondering, I have a shoulder injury, and I will be coming home from the mission May, 13th to see a shoulder specialist. I know that it is the right thing to do, and I feel a lot of peace with this decision. Anyway, on with the work!

Last week, we received a call from the relief society president, saying there was a woman in the hospital who was a member she didn't know. I asked some more information about this woman, and then about half way through the conversation, I thought, "Wait a minute...I think I know this person!" I asked if she was from Cosenza, and the relief society president said yes. AH! I was so excited! We were able to visit Eleonora from Cosenza! I was really happy because she was like a mom to us when we were in Cosenza. It was really great. :) She told me that she still had things that I made for her out of paper in the geneology office. It made me really happy to see someone from Cosenza here. Sometimes I really miss that place.

Other news, Lizbeth was talking to us about how she might be getting a job. She told us that if she gets the job, she will be working Saturdays, and wouldn't be able to get baptized. She told us that she really wants to be baptized, but she needs this job also. Lizbeth said that over time, when she would be trusted at this work, she would ask for a Saturday off to be baptized. I was kind of sad when she was talking about this. I was just praying really hard for help with this situation. Then I said, "Wait, what about a Sunday? How do you feel about getting baptized on a Sunday?" Then she said, "Wait, I can do that? I thought baptisms only happened on Saturdays!" Then we explained how they can actually happen any day of the week, it's just that Saturday is usually the most convenient. So, she will still be baptized if she gets this job...just on aSunday. :)

We have a new bishop in our ward now in Rome 1. The old one got released because he and his wife and two little kids will be moving to Provo in a few months. I am actually really excited for them to come, because it means there will always be a family for me to practice italian with. :) Or at least to learn a few more italian dishes. They are a great family. Also the new bishop is great too. We had a meeting with him about missionary work, and he seems really on board.

That's about all I think... :)

I love you all! Have a great week!!

Love,

Sorella Worsham

A New Transfer

Dear Family,

this week was transfers, and it was crazy. I was really glad I wasn't being transferred, JUST because of how crazy it was. I felt pretty unhelpful, because of my shoulder...but I definitely cheered others on as they carried heavy suitcases. :)

My new companion is Sorella Fairbanks. It is fun having a new companion, and as always is interesting getting used to a new person.

This week was general conference. My oh my, how great that was! I absolutely loved it. I think my favorite talks were by Dallin H. Oaks in the priesthood session, Uchtdorf's gratitude talk, and Bednar's talk about loads. I took a lot of great things from conference, and I'm grateful for the counsel that I received. We didn't get to hear the sunday afternoon session because of the time difference in Italy. I'm sure it was really good thought too.

Last week on Monday, we went to a lookout place where you can see all of Rome. It was a cool thing to see the area that I am serving in from a different perspective.

Hey! Lizbeth came to conference! She brought Francesca (two year old) to women's conference, and it was awesome. Things are moving along nicely with them. She and Michael are getting baptized in a few weeks, so we have to make sure that they are ready. Crunch time!

Anyway, this week wasn't super exciting. Mostly just the crazy stuff that goes along with transfers, and like having companions pack, then new companions unpack, and all sorts of puzzling to make sure no one is left alone without a companion.

Keep on keeping on!

Love,

Sorella Worsham