Email from Sara 3/3/09

Ciao friends and family!

Well, we had a few days where I thought it might be heading on towards spring. For almost a whole week it was sunny. There were a few days where it was still really chilly, but a few where I didn't even need a jacket, but alas, it is cold and rainy again :( But spring will come... I have no doubt.

I have to admit I'm a bit jealous about the snow there. Snow at home is one of my favorite things. I'm excited to see lots of pictures.

To answer your question, as far as I know there is Daylight savings time here. I have no reason to think that there isn't. We've mentioned it to a few people and they haven't acted confused or anything, so I do believe this sunday we will be springing forward.

That does sound fun bowling in the Wii. The other day in church they announced a bowling activity for the young men and young women and that it would be at church. I was a little confused, but thought that maybe bowling was just a little different in Italy, but they actually played on a Wii. It was a fun activity for them and a very good idea. They had it set up on a projector and had a pretty good turnout. They actully had a primary activity at the same time and a ward activity afterwards. It's pretty far for most people to come to church so when there is an activty it is usually a bit more involved. The ward activity was actually a dance. My companion and I didn't stay, but were there early to help set up, we had an appointment that night, but it sure looked like it was going to be a fun night.

Time is going super fast for me some days and then other days- not so much. But all in all it is crazy to me that I'll be close to coming home in a year. I still have SO much to learn I don't know if 4 more years would be long enough, but hopefully I can fit as much into this year as possible.

This past week was a litle rough for me. I was just feeling a little discouraged. We had had a few experiences where I felt like we had just let people down, and that I was just not good enough. I was trying to help a few people with some things (organizing a move) and I just couldn't make everyone happy. It was just kind of stressful and overwhelming. I had a little bit of a breakdown. Not really a breakdown, but I cried my first real tears of the mission. I've had a silent tears in a spiritual setting, or from laughing too hard, but this was the first time I'd been so overwhelmed that there was nothing else to do but cry, I was laughing through the tears as I relayed my troubles to my wonderful companion, but I really hate crying in front of people. Anyhow, I thought I was alright and that most people would be gone from church so we could just slip out and go home for lunch and wouldn't see my red face, but as luck would not have it the Elders were still at the church and I can't handle any amount of sympathy, so as soon as it was detected the tears started again. I think the water level was just too high becuase I hadn't cried for a long time : ).

The next day after DDM I asked for a blessing of comfort. And it is truly amazing to me how much my heavenly father loves me and is just waiting to pour out blessings. In the blessing I was promised that I just need to open my heart to feel the love the Lrod. I am sometimes so stubborn and try to do things on my own. Part of my prayer everyday is that I can become what the Lord wants me to become and as I was pondering that in my personal study I felt inspired to look at the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet. The first page I opened up to was actually the last section entitled "Go forth with faith" and it said exactly what I needed to hear. A small miracle just for me. I'm trying to have more faith and let the Lord help me, because as it says in the pamphlet "you need His help." It is so clear.

Aside from that experience we have had some wonderful experiences this past week with investigators and potential investigators. We have Cornelio, whom we met on the bus and is truly prepared to recieve the gospel. He came to church this past week and is reading the book of mormon. He's from Romania and doesn't speak Italian very well, but can understand well enough. Then there's Simona who is also Romanian and actually lives across the street. The elders saw her at the bus stop and gave her a pass along card and she actually called them and asked for the "Finding Faith in Christ" video. So we took it by and gave it to her. We saw her at the bus stop a few days later and said that she's watched it 3-4 times and that she cries every time. I'd been carying around a Book of Mormon in Romanian just for her and we gave it to her. When we gave it to her and she realized it was in Romanian she started crying and gave us hugs and kisses as she thanked us. She's having a rough time now as she does not have work and thankfully is turning to the Lord.

Jackie is doing well. She did talk with her boss, and he's told her that at the end of this month she won't have to work Sundays. He's said this before, but hopefully it will be true this time. She came to English class last night and we have an appointment with her again on Sunday. She told us about this week when she was taking a test and promised the Lord that if he would help her superare (to overcome) that exam that the first thing she would do when she got home would be to read the scriptures, so she went home and read the book of mormon. She is great. She seriously works so much and sometimes can only read a verse or so every night, but she does it and that is WONDERFUL!!

Life is good. There is really no reason why I could complain. Transfers are this coming week and I have a suspicion that my days in Rome 2 are numbered. We will find out on monday and then actual transfers are on Thursday so I'll let ya know if I'm staying or going next week. I'd be sad to go just becuase there are so many wonderful people here, but at the same time I'm excited to see other areas.

Okay, well I've got to go and give Anziano Pearson his comptuer back. But I love you all and want you to know that I am so thankful to be involved in the Lords work! I hope you have a great week!

Vi voglio bene!!

Sorella Leckie

Sorry, only one picture today, but this is on one of the bridges near a bus stop. I'm not sure exactly what the significance is. I know that there is a really old statue of this wolf that I studied in my Humanities class, but I can't remember exactly what it means. Anyhow, it is kind of a symbol of rome as well as the letters SPQR, which are everywhere, and I'm slightyly embarassed to say that I don't know what they mean, but it is a very Roman thing. Enjoy!