Week 21 in Italy

Well, it was a wild week. It went super fast. Lots of ups and downs.

First the downs. We had to let go of three of our investigators with baptismal dates this week. :( 

One of them refused to talk to us, one of them isn't interested any more, and the other one sent us a text telling us that she needed to take her spiritual walk without us. I am crushed. My heart just broke for each of them. These are people that we have been teaching for a while now.. I saw their individual testimonies starting to grow. We had incredible spiritual experiences with each of them. And now they've chosen to walk away. It just tears you up inside. It's so hard.

Then we went over to visit the home of three new converts and they had just had a huge argument to the point that police were called and everything. The mom had to leave to go do something for work. We talked with the two teenagers for a bit about repentance, forgiveness, and pride. It was a really bad situation. It was heartbreaking. But we were able to leave them in peace and on good terms.

Needless to say, it was an intense week. But on the positive side, our other investigator with a baptismal date came to church on sunday with his mom who hasn't been to church in a LOOOONG time! It was soooo awesome! My heart literally exploded when we saw them in the chapel. It was so beautiful. I am so excited to keep teaching our firey 9 year old Roberto and to watch him and his family progress together. 

That's basically it for the week. It went by so fast.

We had a great activity on Saturday where we (the missionaries) and a few of the members of the branch had a picnic and played frisbee and soccer! Yes. I actually played sports for fun. It was awesome!! We had a great time. We will be having another activity this friday night. It will be a big dance fest. Big meaning hopefully about 15 people will show up. hahaha. I love being in a branch. It will be a lot of fun. We are working really hard right now to unite the members so that we have a good environment to bring our investigators into. It should be a great weekend! I love you all.

Even though there are so many constant ups and downs as a missionary, it is truly the greatest thing in the entire world. I am so happy to be here. Even when our hearts break and tears fall. There is nothing better that I could be doing right now than this. I get to feel a small part of the love that Heavenly Father has for each of His children. It is an incredible blessing. It also makes rejection and watching people give up or walk away a LOT harder. But it is worth it.

I am grateful for my companion. We never cease to have a good laugh, have a random dance party, or turn a bad situation in to a better one with some gelato. I am truly grateful that I don't have to do this alone. I am grateful for my two companions that are with me literally 24/7. Sorella Bucco, and My Savior Jesus Christ. 

Thank you all for your support and prayers.

Talk to you next week. 

Sorella Tokarski