Arrived in Italy!

Wow. So it's been a crazy week. I'm finally here!!! The 28 hours of travel were crazy... But it was a fun experience.

So we all got here, and did a little bit of training. Everyone in the mission leadership speaks to us in english.. I'm not going to lie. It's really nice. Then after training we went out with the assistants to the president and a couple of the office elders to go to the Duomo. They drove us part way, and then we all got out and took the metro (basically the same thing as the subway in New York) and we just had to go around and talk to everyone... hahahahha it was insane. There was a huge soccer game that night so.. things were a little rowdy in the metro and by the duomo. But we were safe. Don't worry. 

Then we went back to the mission home, and all went out to dinner. Pizza, lasagna, and gelato. I literally have never eaten anything so good in my life... It was amazing. 

Then the next day we had a little bit more training, and we met our trainers and found out our first areas!! So I'm serving in Torino right now. It's a big big city. Our area is huge... Our ward boundaries are really big. (Dad you can work your bishop magic and look up my ward and see my exact boundaries. it's torino 2) It takes us like anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to get to some members apartments. Oh and speaking of apartments, i haven't seen a single house yet. It's all just apartment buildings everywhere. Our city reminds me a little bit of New York. But smaller. And less people. My trainer is Sister Gunnerson. I LOVE HER! She is so sweet. She's 24, and  she has been serving for 7 months now. She has the most beautiful singing voice and she's really funny and sarcastic. We get along really well. So she and I got all my luggage together, and headed out for our area! We drug my waayyyy heavy bags to the metro, and from there we took a train. Then we went on foot for a bit to a bus. Then we took 2 or 3 busses. Then we walked a little bit further to our apartment. We also speak english with each other which is nice. She helps me with my Italian though which is great. 

Our apartment is HUGE! It's very open and we could probably put on a dance recital in our living room. 

Our ward is awesome!! Everyone is so sweet. All the women come up and bacci you (the *kiss kiss* on both cheeks). There were about 7 times on sunday when someone came up, kissed me, asked me something, and then I just looked at sister gunnerson with a blank face and she gently said.. "um. so where are you from...?" I couldn't believe that I couldn't even understand that phrase! Italian here is so different than what we learned in the MTC! My life is literally The Best Two Years right now... 

Our district is great too! We had a district meeting on monday and they were all super cool. We Our zone leaders are the elders that serve in our ward with us. They're great. 

It's absolutely beautiful here. I love it. The air is so thick with cigarette smoke and I've had a few headaches form it. But I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually. 

We ride the busses and walk everywhere. Sometimes the metro if necessary. It can all be a little sketchy at night. But we do everything we can to be safe!

I'm so tired. My body is exhausted. I can understand about 45% of everything I hear. So my mind is exhausted too. But this missionary work is incredible. We have taught a few lessons so far. We taught a brand new family on sunday night. A husband, wife, her brother, and their 3 year old son. They have been catholic basically their whole life, but non-practicing. One of their friends daughters just got baptized a couple months ago. They were curious and asked us to bring them a Book of Mormon. As we sat with them in their home and taught  them for the first time about the retoratino of the gospel, it was honestly one of the most incredible moments of my life. The spirit that we all felt was so strong. They were listening with not only their minds but their hearts. We could tell that they were feeling really good about what we were teaching them. They agreed to read The Book of Mormon and we will be going back to teach them again on Sunday. They were so so so sweet. (I am in love with everyone here already!!!) Sister Gunnerson and I just skipped down the 4 flights of stairs and freaked out and smiled and almost missed our bus home. We were so happy for them and it was just a really good and wonderful lesson. I just love it here.

 

The people crack me up. They talk for days at a time. They are the least efficient people ever... hahahah it's really funny. And they're loud! But I love it! Church was hilarious. So i was asked to go up and speak apparently, I thought I was just supposed to share a brief testimony... oops. One of our Zone leaders spoke after me, and later he complimented me on "giving a great first talk..." and I said.... "talk?? I thought I was just supposed to share my testimony!!" so that was great. But anyway. Point is. People just talk all the time. hahaha the whole time. They listen to. When they don't have anything more important to say. It's seriously the funniest thing ever. My companion and I just look at each other and laugh sometimes. It's awesome.

For P-day today, we cleaned our apartment, went grocery shopping, waled around centro, which is a really nice part of torino, and went to a cool egyptian museum. We saw all sorts of ancient and cool stuff. We saw a couple mummys too. So trippy! We also had pizza and gelato. Oh my heck..... Gelato. Just. Oh my gosh. It's so good. I'm so glad we walk so much... 

I'm so excited to keep learning italian and to improve on my speaking and understanding more this week! It's hard... But it's such a beautiful language. 

I can't wait to teach more this coming week. I love being a missionary... It's the best job in the entire world. 

i love you all!!! I miss you tons. 

until next week, 

Sorella Tokarski

Last Week in MTC

Well, the time has come to venture off to Italia! Sono molto emozionata, ma molto nervosa anche.... Ma, so che tutto bene.

This past week was good! I was still recovering from my cold... and unfortunately I still am. So it'll be a fun 28 hours of travel. I'll be that one on the plane that everyone hates because they're coughing the whole time. Oh well!

Good news. Two of the girls in my room have both gained 10 pounds since being here. (not the good news) But I haven't gained any! I've actually lost a pound or two! (good news) I know that once I get to Italy, we'll be biking several miles per day. So hopefully I'll continue to get into better shape. :)

 

This past week I was thinking a lot about being on this mission. I feel very strongly that there is absolutely no substitute for serving a full time mission. There are plenty of other wonderful and amazing things that you can do! But as a member of the church, there is not a single experience that will be the same as serving a full time mission as a young adult. I have learned so much about myself in the past 6 weeks. I have also had to change myself and my heart a lot. But there isn't anything better in the entire world that I could be doing for myself. The experience of being a missionary is absolutely one of a kind. I just know that if anyone has a desire to serve, ask God, and most of the time, the answer will be GO!!! And I absolutely and one hundred percent recommend it. It is hard. It is tiring. It is emotionally, spiritually, mentally exhausting, and I'm not even in Italy yet!!! But it is an absolutely incredible time of learning and growth between just you and God. It's unreal. 

[Elder's that cracked us up!]

We also had infield orientation this week! We had a day off from classes to do several workshops about how to be more effective missionaries. We talked about things like contacting, talking to people, confidence, effective planning and goal setting and how they work together to help you have more success. It was an awesome day. For one of the hours, Elder Christiensen from The District was my groups teacher. It was awesome. I shook his hand. Pretty cool.

It's pretty typical to hear singing, whistling, or a combination of both every single morning in the huge bathroom, and same with in the evenings. Well the other night, I walked in and every single girl taking a shower was singing, "A Whole New World", very loudly, and in several different keys. I wasn't sure if I should laugh, cry, scream, or all three. So instead I just brushed my teeth.

[Our German Sisters across the hall]

Last night was our last MTC devotional. Each week we've had special speakers come on both Sunday and Tuesday nights to address us and speak to us about uplifting and positive topics that encourage us and motivate us to be better missionaries. Last night, Matthew Holland, Elder Jeffry R. Holland's son, came to speak to us about the Prophet Joseph Smith. It just so happened that his whole family came with us... including his dad. We were in the middle of singing "There is Sunshine In my Soul Today", when all of a sudden, out walks Elder Jeffry R. Holland, and his wife, and then Matthew and his wife, and all of their other family had already been seated. The singing got 10x louder, and everyone was freaking out! It was awesome. The spirit was so strong in that room. The devotional was incredible. We heard stories about the life of Joseph Smith that I had never heard before. It added a new depth and meaning to his life that I had never felt or known before. It was so cool... Research his life!! (from reliable sources) He lived a life full of trials, and heart break, but he never failed to turn to his Heavenly Father and his Savior to get him through every single obstacle he faced. He is an incredible man. As we sang Praise to the Man, there wasn't a single dry eye. It was so powerful. I love Joseph Smith, and I know that he was a true prophet of God. I am grateful for the sacrifices that he made, including his life, to bring forth the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so excited to be able to share the message and the hope that comes from living the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of Milan. 

I know that my Savior, and elder brother Jesus Christ will go with me. He will be by  my side every step of the way. The work of missionaries is going forward throughout the world, and it is truly inspiring to be a part of this incredible group of youth that have the courage, the faith, and the testimony to leave everything behind, to forget themselves, and to go declare the glad and eternally significant message of the Gospel. I have been humbled by this experience at the MTC and I am so grateful for all that I have learned, and all that I will continue to learn in Italy. I love you all! Thank you for your prayers and support. 

FORZA ITALIA!!!!!!

love always,

Sorella Tokarski 

_______________________________________________________________________

Epilogue from Dad – I’m late in getting this update posted but wanted to add that at 3:21AM Pacific Time Sonja landed in Italy. We were able to speak with her twice yesterday as she traveled and it was wonderful to hear her voice and feel of her enthusiasm. There are not words adequate to express the gratitude we feel for her and to Heavenly Father for this opportunity she has been given. As close as I can get are the words Alma shared as he gloried in the Lord’s work and the success of his brethren. Alma 29:16 reads, “Now, when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy.”

Yesterday I came across a new video message posted on LDS.org and thought it was appropriate to add to this week’s post. It is titled, “Hastening the Work in Europe”. Copy and paste the link below into your browser if you want to watch the video or jus

t Google "Hastening the Work in Europe".

http://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/unto-all-the-world-hastening-the-work-in-europe?cid=HPTU021814479&im=true&lang=eng

Fifth Week in MTC

Well, it has been a good week! My time here at the MTC is coming to a close and I have bitter sweet feelings. The MTC has been a place of learning, growth, incredible difficulty, fantastic memories made, and amazing people. 

Temple walk 2 weeks ago. Our swedish sister left last monday!! So proud of her. She's the blonde one in the middle. We had some martinellis to celebrate her departure into the field!

I will really miss singing in the choir here. We sing such beautiful music each week, and singing it with a choir of about 500 or more missionaries is a unique experience. This coming week we will be singing "Praise to the Man" for the Sunday night devotional, and Elder Jeffry R. Holland's son will be coming to speak to us. He is the president of UVU. I almost think that Jeffry R. Holland might be there too because our choir director kept saying "Now we all have to do our best... you're in for a real treat, and I can't tell you everything... But just please practice your very best" So I'm really excited to sing that song. I get goosebumps every time I hear that song, let alone singing it with 500 other missionaries that are going out into the world to teach about the restoration of the gospel and share testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I'm just so excited. I have such love and respect for Joseph Smith and I am honored to be able to sing that glorious hymn.

The language has been a real struggle for me. I am having a really hard time with all of the grammar. This week it felt like learning math for me...... And everyone knows how much I love math. Prayers to help me learn the language would be much appreciated. 

We study so much every single day. By friday and saturday nights, we just want to hang out with each other. This past saturday night, the other sisters in my district/ roommates and I decided to have a massage train and the person in the front had to read out of the Book Of Mormon in Italian and after 5 verses, we would try to explain what was said, and then we would switch positions. It was pretty great. 

I also got sick this week, so I literally spent 10 hours on friday asleep. Not very productive... But I'm feeling a little better now. We got our flight plans too! It made everything so real... I can't believe we are flying out of here in 7 days... It makes me want to pass out... But I'm so excited. 

Basically what I learned this week is that it's okay to have weaknesses. We all have them. Not a single one of us is perfect, and we all need to be okay with admitting that. Weaknesses are given to us so that we can more fully turn to Christ and use his atonement to turn those weaknesses into strengths. I love the opportunity that I have every single day to become better and to ask my Savior for help. I know that he desires to help me and as I continue to ask for that help, he never fails to give it to me. 

I also have gained a greater love for the Book of Mormon. I have never read it so earnestly and fervently before. I have felt tremendous strength and power come into my life through reading from it's pages. I testify that it is true, and that whoever reads it with a humble and open heart WILL KNOW of it's truthfulness and will be brought closer to Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. The Book of Mormon is a literal testament of Christ and of his teachings. I know that it is true. I have asked, and continue to ask God to know of a surety that it is. Each time I do, I feel a calm and peaceful reassurance in my heart and mind that it is. No bad man could write it. No GOOD man could write it. It is not something that someone could ever make up. When Elder Bednar came to speak to us he said, "I'd give someone 100 years, and they could not produce a single page of the Book of Mormon.." I know that to be true. I love the Book of Mormon, and I love the spirit that I feel as I read it. 

I am grateful to be a missionary. I have learned a lot about myself. I continue to learn a lot about myself and about the plan that God has for me and all of His children. I am so grateful for the gospel. I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and the help and strength that he gives me every single day. I don't get to have a lovey hug from my dad or mom, I don't get to go for late night t-bell runs with Quinten, Jesse, Nick, or Kelly, I don't get to spend time with Josh, but what I do get is to have the spirit with me every single day, and I do get to have my elder brother and friend, Jesus Christ comfort me and help me through my trials, I do get to have my loving Heavenly Father send me inspiration and personal revelation every single day, and for me, that is more than enough right now. I have been so blessed by being a missionary thus far. This is truly God's work and I am so grateful that I get to be a tool and instrument in His hands to bring His children back to Him. 

We have 7 days left here at the MTC! That last pic was taken today. We are all so excited to be heading out. But I'm also incredibly nervous at the same time. I don't feel ready at all. But I know that I'll have my elder brother Jesus Christ with me, and I know that my Heavenly Father will not let me fail as long as I strive to do His will with all my heart. 

I love you all. 

Thank you for your continued support.

love, 

Sorella Tokarski

Fourth Week in MTC

A little preface to this post. Sonja had some health challenges last week. When you have a daughter in the MTC and the phone rings on a Tuesday evening with the caller ID showing an 801 area code, it get's you wondering pretty quick. When the voice on the other line is your daughter, there's a brief moment of delight followed by "uh oh, I don't think I want you to be calling me..." Sonja sounded great and calmly explained what was happening. After several rounds of doctor visits and tests they ultimately concluded her symptoms were attributable to anxiety. That was hard for her to hear because she was not necessarily feeling "anxious" but began to have some symptoms that suggest otherwise. This is clearly a big change in her life and as wonderful as it is to serve a mission she is experiencing a lot of change all at once; away from home, family, friends, learning a new language, preparing to live in another country and having a full and rigorous schedule as a result. We fasted a prayed for her repeatedly last week and received periodic updates. By Saturday evening she was feeling better and grateful for the support of family and friends and most of all the strengthening power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Below are a few experts from a couple messages she sent today. Thank you all for your prayers in her behalf.

-Sonja's Dad
_________________________________________

This week was a big challenge for me. And the struggle with the anxiety will be a challenge for the next little bit. But I know that Christ will not abandon me. God will not leave me alone. They are watching over me and I know that they know exactly what I need to go through and experience in order to grow and become a better tool in their hands. I love being a missionary. I honestly and truly do love being here. The trials of this past week made me forget a little bit of how much I really do love it here and how grateful i truly am to be a full time servant of the Lord right now. But I am grateful. I feel God's love for me and I feel the power of the atonement helping to strengthen my conviction to be here and to work hard. 

Yesterday at the devotional the speaker said "You have 18 months or 2 years to serve, and the rest of eternity to think about it." freaked me out a bit. But it was motivation to get myself in gear and really just focus. 

Yesterday was awesome! I had several moments of revelation and gained a better understanding of Heavenly Father's specific purpose for me as a missionary at this time. I know that there are families waiting for me to come. God needs to teach them through me and I need to invite and help them make it to the temple so that they can be together for eternity.

Also... I LEAVE FOR ITALY 2 WEEKS FROM TODAY!

I love you tons and tons! Thank you for your continued support and love. It means the world to me. 

< Sorella Tokarski