So we started out this week by going to Genova last
wednesday night to stay with the sister training leaders (3 hour train ride)
because we had zone conference on thursday in alessandria. So we stayed with
them, then woke up thursday morning, and took a 2 hour train to alessandria. It
was a lot of train. Conference was AWESOME!!! So spiritual. We talked a lot
about the importance of doing family history work and how we need to help our
new converts do their own family history work so that they can prepare to go to
the temple! We also talked a lot about being consecrated missionaries and
really focusing on our purpose here and being obedient. It was awesome. Then at
the end of conference, we took a 5 hour train ride back down to San remo. It
was a gorgeous ride.
Then on Friday night as we were kneeling to say our bed time
prayers, all of a sudden there's huge booming and popping sounds. We both
halted our prayers and looked at each other. We went out onto our balcony, and
there were giant fireworks exploding over the ocean. It was SO COOL! We stood
outside for about 10 minutes and watched. Everyone was out on their balconies
cheering and shouting. It was great! I love this small beach town.
We also had an interesting experience doing finding work in
Imperia this week. We went for a branch activity to the city that the Anziani
live in. They really need more people to teach and we really want to be able to
form a branch in Imperia. So. We took a bus out to Imperia, and two of the
sisters of our branch showed up for the activity. So we did a split. I went
with one and Van alfen went with the other. I was nervous to be completely
alone with an Italian.. I still can't understand everything people say to me.
But it ended up being fine. I just responded to what I could and did my best to
really listen and understand. Anyway. The point of this story was that the
entire time, everyone we talked to would just laugh and mock us. They pointed
and just looked at us in disgust. It broke my heart. And I realized that it hurt
so bad not because they were mocking me, but because they were mocking my
Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ, and everything that He has done for me and
for them. His name makes up the two most important words on my name tag. And it
was just really sad to feel so utterly rejected in His place. If that makes
sense... Missionary work. It's hard. But it is the most incredible and
important work in the entire world.
Miracle! We had a woman show up in church this past
sunday. Her name is Elvira. She apparently saw the 
Overall, It was a good week. Our investigators aren't coming
to church though. We feel that we are doing our part in striving to help them
understand the importance of coming to church and we always invite them. But
for the past few weeks, they just won't come! It's heartbreaking. We will
continue to invite and pray for inspiration as to how we can better help them
understand the importance and necessity of coming to church. I am so grateful
to be serving here and to have the opportunity to work with these people. I
really do love being a missionary!
Also, this past week, the temperature cooled off quite a
bit. Thank Heavens! I was super dehydrated on Monday and we didn't get very
much done. But anyway. The past couple of days have been much cooler and we
even got some rain. Heavenly Father answers prayers!
And we got to hold really cute puppies last week because two
of our investigators own a pet supply shop so they brought their puppies in
that day so that people could see them and buy them... ahhhhh. So cute.
I love you all! Be good! Do missionary work! GO TO CHURCH!
It is SERIOUSLY crucial.
love,
sorella tokarski
