Drink of His water and share it!

Caio Tutti!!

Well this week we had some lessons that were difficult. But I am happy
that I got to testify of Jesus Christ. I feel so blessed to represent
him every day.
Sometimes it's frustrating as a missionary because you want so badly
for these people to feel the love of God and accept the peace that the
savior can bring them. It's frustrating when people want proof of
every detail. BUT...I know that we can come to truths if our hearts
are open. I know that as humans sometimes we are too complicated. If
we could only look around and see how blessed we are every day...maybe
it's easier as a missionary in Pisa Italy to say this.
38 That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive
it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves
even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in,
in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for
the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you. (Alma
34)

I am sure that God loves us. He loves us more than I think we will
ever be able to know. He has not left us to wander here on earth...but
gave his son so that whoever follows him can have eternal life!
I know that our thirst can be quenched through following Jesus Christ!
Are you thirsty to be loved? Accepted? Do you want some peaceful yummy
water...come unto Christ!

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall
never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a
well of water springing up into everlasting life.(John 4)

Yesterday we spent eight hours searching for a referral named June.
And in the end we didn't find her. I joked to my companion saying
maybe we didn't find her because it's January. Haha. I still don't
know exactly why he had us search for eight hours but I know that some
sheep are harder to find then others and that I continue to work hard
because I love the lord and his children.

We did end up finding some other people from Sao Paolo Brazil at the
station. Such a fun story! I don't know how it's possible to love
someone so much after just ten minutes of talking. Lola is her name!
And she says she will find the church at home. But I have her in my
Facebook for after the mission.

I LOVE MY MISSION. I LOVE THE LORD.
all you friends and family at home....be blessed. Realize God loves
you...drink of his water and share it with others.

Love Sorella skinner

Two for one post and Epiphany Holiday

Sorry...this is from this week and last week.
Ciao tutti!

January 6th is an Italian national holiday...epiphany is what it's
called. I don't know why I don't remember it from last year but we
have a less active who was telling us about it. Like Santa Claus they
believe in this woman who comes and brings gifts to children. Her name
is the Befana which translated into English means hag or kind of like
a witch. Our less active used to dress up as the Befana haha. Other
than that Catholics read in the bible certain prayers and sing hymns.
How do I know this....well our investigator simonetta invited us on
pday so we went. It was kind of cool to see culturally. I didn't feel
the spirit in what they are doing but they have a cool faith! After
simonetta introduced us to her 20 friends and we talked a little about
our church and had some great conversations. I mean all these people
are very active in their own church but seriously have a great faith.
They fed us cake and chips and old men tried to kiss our cheeks before
we left.

We have some great potentials from members that we are really excited
about. Two of them came to English class and have a strong belief in
Jesus Christ. It was cool to see two Italian men my age who were
believers. That is kind of rare!


I know Jesus Christ can unite us all. He is my strength and keeps me
going. Because of Him I know I am never alone and can endure hard
things.

I'm grateful for this chance to help others come unto him. I truly can
see the lord guiding me every day!

I love you all back home I hope you feel Jesus Christ in your lives
and if you don't well I invite you to try to go do something for
someone else who feels alone and comfort them. I know through serving
others we come unto Christ ourselves.

Have a great week.

Love, Sorella Skinner


Ciao tutti!

This week it really just went too fast. But to tell you a few things
going on in Pisa.

We met a less active named Silviana by sending scripture texts. We
hope she will feel that the Lord wants her in church.
Nonna came to church and made some humorous comments in relief
society....never a dull moment in the Pisa ward.

We met some great people on the street and in the bus!!
Ersi and enida are finally receiving answers to their prayers!
I got to go back to Florence and see Julia and Henry and some other members!
My companion is hilarous or hilarious. However you want to say it.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
I love this scripture in Romans 8
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for
what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

I know Heavenly Father has a plan for every person on this earth and
that hope can come through Jesus Christ. And through him we are saved.

Have a good week everyone.

Sorella skinner

Aka...La Befana ...just kiddin

He thought he just needed a knife....

Katelyn had some problems sending her group email out this week. Here is a story she sent her dad. We just had to share.

A cool experience. Ready?!?!!! So the other day we got to English class and there were 2 young men my age that walked in. Wait...this is not a romance story. Don't worry. Ok they are pretty attractive. One could use a hair cut but no...this story is a miracle. Ready? 

So they join in on our English class and then they ask us why we are here in Italy. And so we start explaining why it was really cool. They told us how they also believe in Christ and are Catholics.  This is rare to be a believer at 20. One of them fredrico said he was atheist but then converted to the Catholic Church. He said how he read the bible and decided Jesus Christ was real. I was super excited because after  we had family night. They asked us before....ok so what are your differences from the Catholic Church and similarities. THAT IS ANY ITALIAN MISSIONARIES DREAM QUESTION!!! Boom restoration. We decided to wait and say we would tell them in Italian though. We go to a different room with everyone and watch because of him the Mormon message and then we talked about Jesus Christ. They both talked about him for about 5 minutes each. INCREDIBLE. 

We bore our testimonies and then had to leave for another lesson. But you probably want to know how they got to English class. How did they find out? Well it wasn't through us or the elders.

His is a classic Italian story. They were out at a cafeteria and had bought sandwiches. They needed a knife though to cut the bread. So they knocked on a door on that street. Well that door just happened to be the door of our ward mission leader. Brother Ventura. He invited them in...gave them a knife...invited them to English class. Well they came!!!! And now hopefully the elders will teach them and they will get baptized. I feel it dad!!! They will get baptized. Incredible. God does miracles. He watches over his children. Fredrico thought he just needed a knife when really...he needs the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I was so pumped about this!! I know the gospel is true. It is the biggest joy we have. Have a good week!

 windy day at Marina di Pisa

 Exchanges

The Lord is my Light!

ciao tutti!

This week i have a hymn that sums up my week. The lord is my light!
The lord is my light then why should I fear?


We felt the need to make treats for our investigators and some members
this week so we made tiramisu (without coffee). We prayed over who
needed it and God he led us to those people. One members was in need
of that gentle reminder that if we search for the light we can find
it. The coolest thing of all.....it was raining. Hard. And we were on
bikes....we wanted so badly to make it to ersi and Enidas house. We
prayed the whole ride to the church and we went back to their house
and knocked. Their mom let us in and we gave them the very wet
tiramisu. We said a prayer that filled their dark little house with
light.

My companion Sorella Visconti shared this amazing scripture with me
this morning that made me feel that light even more. The things we
can't see are eternal! Charity! Love! Peace! I know that the light of
the lord is here if we search for it. It is more a feeling then
something to see.

One verb I really love in Italian is sentire. This verb means to
hear...but it also means to feel. There was a cute American visiting
our ward on Sunday who bore her testimony while a brother translated
into Italian for her. After another brother came up to her...he said
in English..."I'm grateful that I could feel your testimony. "
How incredible. The love of God and Christ is something we feel. We
can choose to feel it. It comes with an open heart.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to help others feel that love. I know
I'm a daughter of God. He cares about me more than I know. I hope you
friends back in Idaho or where ever you are know that you matter and
take time this new year to search for that love and help other feel
it.

2 cor 4
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish,
yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us
a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things
which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but
the things which are not seen are eternal.

Love Sorella skinner