I remember scared Sorella skinner coming to Italy on the plane. Not
knowing what to expect not being sure if I could do it. I had
questions and I was a missionary. How is that possible? And I come out
of my mission still having questions. However...I cannot explain how
much I have learned and how incredible I think our Heavenly Father is.
I know he knows me perfectly. I know my struggles and pains matter to
him enough that he didn't want me to face them alone. So he gave me a
savior who knows how to help me. I know that he has led and guided me
these past eighteen months. "In moments of distress and grief my soul
has often found relief."
I've been protected and led to help my brothers and sisters in Italy.
I have seen Gods hand in this work every single day....even the harder
days. I have grown a testimony of the restoration of the gospel. I
know that the Book of Mormon is true. I found comfort in this book
when I wish I had my mom or dad to talk to....I turned to the
scriptures and God comforted me.
I found a great testimony by elder uchtdorf that I want to share.
It must have been this kind of testimony that transformed the Savior’s
Apostles from fearful, doubting men into fearless, joyful emissaries
of the Master. In the hours following His Crucifixion, they were
consumed with despair and grief, unable to understand what had just
happened. But one event changed all of that. Their Lord appeared to
them and declared, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.”
When the Apostles recognized the risen Christ--when they experienced
the glorious Resurrection of their beloved Savior--they became
different men. Nothing could keep them from fulfilling their mission.
They accepted with courage and determination the torture, humiliation,
and even death that would come to them because of their testimony.
They were not deterred from praising and serving their Lord. They
changed the lives of people everywhere. They changed the world.
You do not need to see the Savior, as the Apostles did, to experience
the same transformation. Your testimony of Christ, born of the Holy
Ghost, can help you look past the disappointing endings in mortality
and see the bright future that the Redeemer of the world has prepared.
Elder uchtdorf
I leave you with my testimony that I know the Lord Jesus Christ lives.
I have not seen him. But I have felt him in my life. And this has come
through searching for his help and humbling myself a lot. I can never
thank him enough for what he has done for me. I will continue to look
to my savior and know him because I know it doesn't stop here. I have
lots more to learn.
I love these Italians so much. They have a special place in my heart.
They have taught me lots. I know the Lord needed me here in Italy. And
I can't thank him enough for the experiences I have had. I am sad it
will soon be over but I know he needed me here these past 18 months
and now he needs me back home with my beautiful family and friends. He
has a plan for me!
Love you all! I will see you soon everyone. But not too soon...first I
get to travel Italy and visit my friends here in Italy with my two
best friends!
Love,
Sorella Skinner
