This week we had a really great lesson with Alessia. We showed her the talk that Elder Holland when he tells the story of Christ asking Peter "Do you love me?" It really touched her and I could see the spirit work in her. Without us even bringing up the subject of work, she told us that she has been feeling bad about work for a while now. We helped her realize that this is the spirit prompting her to do something and we invited her to act on these promptings. I love that feeling when you know you are inspired by the spirit.
On Tuesday my companion and I tried to make a cake for our district because it's Anziano Garrett's birthday today. We spent the whole morning making it then right before we left my companion DROPPED IT!! It made a huge mess all over the floor but we were laughing so hard. The only thing that was kind of upsetting is we literally had no money last week, not even to buy food for ourselves, but we spent €5 on this box cake and then it just ended up on the floor!! Haha we had a good laugh though.
I cannot count the number of times that I have been asked to explain our church's name. Chiesa di Gesù Cristo dei SANTI degli ultimi giorni- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day SAINTS (or, as translated The Church of Jesus Christ of the SAINTS of the last days.) Especially here, where the worship of saints is very common, people get a little hung up and confused about our title, especially when they know that we do not believe in saints. We explain to them that we do not worship or pray to saints, but that it is the "dovere" (duty) of all of us to strive to become SAINTS (true believers and followers of Christ.)
I have reflected on the significance of our church's title many times thanks to the opportunity that I have had to explain it to others, and it has taken on a little bit of a deeper meaning for me every time I do. I was able to reflect upon it again, yesterday, while listening to the talk given by President Russell M. Nelson. He shared the story of the difficult circumstances that the pioneers found themselves in on a cold winter's night. Every one of them starving, and doing whatever they could to try not to quite literally freeze to death. Yet, "among the pioneers, not a complaint was heard," he quotes, "that was a very merry night. None but SAINTS can be happy under every circumstance."
I read this morning in Alma 62:41 that reads, "But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility." When President Kearon was here, he pointed this verse out to us and taught that in adversity, we can either become hardened, or humbled. We can fall, or thrive. Both of these groups of people had just gone through the same war, faced the same type of affliction, but in the end, there was a very different outcome.
President Nelson continues by saying, "Joy has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives." This simple yet profound statement touched me. It helped me to put everything into perspective. It helped me to realize that if we want to be happy, we can be! It's literally all up to us! Because like he says, it doesn't matter what is going on around you, it's what is going on inside of you. What you're going to make of the situation. How you're going to choose to respond to it.
And when the times get rough--and trust me, they will--We can remember our savior, who performed the most difficult task that anyone would ever have to bear in this world, by focusing on the joy. We can endure anything if we will only FOCUS ON THE JOY! "Joy comes from and because of HIM. Jesus Christ is JOY."
I am filled with joy and gratitude when I think about all of you. I hope you enjoyed your conference weekend and were able to make note of the things that may be a stumbling block in your eternal progression and have decided what you can do to change these things. I also hope that you were able to feel of the infinite love that your Heavenly Father and Savior have for you, I know I did. CHOOSE TO FOCUS ON THE JOY, my friends, and I promise you that your challenges will become easier, your burdens will be made lighter, and your lives will be filled with more light and love.
Con gioia e amore,
Sorella Bonzo
Last pday at a confession booth
I'm a mountain
The cake
I did an exchange with sorella Bellomo this week and we cleaned a gym for this potential! It was super fun. I got to play with the cute one year old and keep him happy. Then we had to take a picture in this giant wheel
Yesterday mama Anderson made us French toast for general conference breakfast. We had a cute little picnic
