I dreamed a dream

Ciao tutti!!!
The baptism went smoothly!!! There is seriously such a heart warming
feeling seeing these people make covenants with God. I know the
heavens are rejoicing for the jaramillo family and Laura. They already
are great members.

This scripture really hit me the day of their baptism.

Mosiah 5
7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be
called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for
behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that
your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are
born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.

8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head
whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby
salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the
name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God
that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.

9 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found
at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is
called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ.


When we take upon us the name of Christ and follow him "we shall know
the name by which we are called." I know that Jesus is my savior...our
light...our way to return home. The only way! I have found to know
myself more as I come unto him.

I love my mission and find so much joy in this work.

Also I'm in Italy and got permission to change pday to see an opera at
the scala tonight. Bragging rights.

Have a great week!!
Sorella Skinner

TRUST

Ciao tutti!


This week I truly have a testimony that God has a plan for every one
of his children. This week I got to share the plan of salvation and
about prayer with two Chinese girls. Joyce and viola!!!

They were sweet hearts and when I explained to them how we pray and
can receive answers from God their eyes lit up! They said that's
magical!


The Jaramillo family is ready for baptism!! This Saturday!! Also Laura!

I feel blessed to see people coming into Christ through being baptized
by someone who holds the power of God on earth!!!

Have a good week. Here is a scripture that has helped me this week!



"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct
thy paths” proverbs 3:5

love,
Sorella Skinner

Milano Cimiano Tutti

Ciao tutti!

I am now in the promised land....aka Milano Cimiano. Seriously this is
miracle land...sacred ground. I entered and my companion Sorella Avila
informed me that we had five investigators with baptismal dates!!
What? Ok all of you reading this who serve in the states or in South
America might think....ain't that normal? Ok for Italy it is quite a
blessing! Huge in fact!

So it's been crazy busy since I got here. Meeting everyone.

So there is Laura that is a referral from Salt Lake City! She has
friends who moved to the states. She is so ready for baptism. Her date
is the 20th! She has such great faith!

Then there is the Jaramillo family!!! They are South American.
Richard, Julia, and Alessandro their son who is eight. The spirit was
super strong when we taught about the priesthood! They are looking
forward to all of this and also have a bap date for the 20th.

Another great blessing is coming back to find that Sorella Boscia's
cousin was baptized and is going to this ward but that her husband
still isn't baptized. Giuseppe is so great! He has great faith and
progress I told him I am here for him because we started the lessons
with them a year ago when I was here! They feel like family and feed
us like any Sicilian would.

I'm grateful for the gospel. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is
blessing lives before my eyes. I see people following the gospel and
being changed. I know that if we put the Lord first that the rest will
be taken care of. I've seen that as people live the commandments and
repent. They receive happiness they didn't even know existed. I love
being a servant of the Lord. It's such a blessing that has helped me
and I hope will help my future family.


3 Nephi 13:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all
these things shall be added unto you.


Have a good week!!!
Happy Valentine's Day from Italy! Single and ready to mingle....okay
only about Jesus Christ though.

Ciao!

Sorella Skinner

Back to my big city

Ciao tutti!


Well I found out this week that the Lord needs me to go back to the
city I was born in..Milano! I am very excited I will be in a big ward
with lots of work to look forward to. Am I sad? Of course...part of me
thinks I could have straightened out the leaning tower of Pisa just a
bit more. I have been in Tuscany for now 8 months and it seems
seriously like my second home. It will be hard to leave my Italian
grandma and ward members and friends here but the good thing is I know
the Lord has a plan!

What happened this week....well we had an awesome mostra on Saturday
(I don't know how you would say that in English...we have a booth set
up at a market and do finding). We had great success! When they aren't
interested in the gospel we still offer to serve them by inviting them
to English class.

We went to the Gori families house where I came to realize that I
understand some Portuguese! Buon Gia!

We did finding lots this week and then we have been saying bye to
members and investigators.

Biggest thing I have learned this week is sometimes Satan is trying to
keep us from receiving blessings he has promised us. I know that if we
are built upon the rock of Jesus Christ we have the promise that we
will not fall. It doesn't mean it won't be shaky at times but we will
have more strength. I am very grateful for my parents who helped me
establish my faith on that rock and I'm grateful for the moments I
have had to continue to build that foundation on my own. (Helaman
5:12)

Have a great week!!

Love Sorella skinner

I'm gonna miss my French companion. She is such a babe. I love her.
She will rock Pisa

BYE FLORENCE AND BEAUTIFUL TUSCANY!