Rule 349: Don't Do Anything Italian Boys Do On Bikes!

September 16, 2015

Rule 349:  Don't do anything Italian boys do on bikes!

 Rule 350: Keep your toes away from the bicycle wheel!

Bike crashes, hospital visits, and Lost wallets, oh my!
You may say we had a bit of crazy week. It all started when Sorella
Besco says last Wednesday to our new companion Sorella Yonk,
"hopefully you don't get into a bike crash on your first day like
someone else did" (Sorella Besco had a really bad crash her first day).
Well we forgot to knock on wood or touch iron and that is exactly what
happened. Sorella Yonk got her foot stuck in the wheel of the bicycle.
I was behind her but I still don't understand exactly how it happened.
Thankfully when it happened a man came and yanked her foot out of the
wheel. We stayed there for about an hour, the anziani brought us some
stuff from the pharmacy and then we grabbed some pizza and rode home
on our bikes. She said it was easier to ride home than to walk.

We are lucky Sorella Besco is a good nurse.
That afternoon Bishop and his wife came and picked us up for our
appointment with Ina. The appointment was so wonderful. We talked
about the plan of Salvation. We weren't able to finish because we got
stuck on the Atonement. Ina was born into a Muslim home so we wanted to
make sure she understood the Atonement really well. She does. She told
us how much strength and hope she receives from her knowledge of the
Savior. The empowering effect of the Atonement is so real. Even if we
don't have physical strength to do things, the Savior can lift you.
Ina is an amazing example to me because despite all the difficulties
she may have, it is her faith that keeps her going.

On Thursday Sorella Yonk was being a super great sport and said she
was fine to go to appointments so we rode to all of our appointments
on Thursday. After our last appointment our investigator looks at
Sorella Yonk's foot and it had swollen, a lot! I mean a lot! Both her
and the member we had brought to the lesson said we had to go to the
emergency room. In Italy it is more common to go the emergency room
than a normal doctor sometimes. Well, with the member and her parents
and Maura and her boyfriend, who drove us to the the hospital, there
were 8 of us all there together. It was fun. For my first Italian
hospital experience it went actually rather smoothly. The doctors were
all really nice and we weren't there forever like everyone thought we
would be.  Good news: nothing broken or sprained! She wasn't allowed
to walk (or ride the bike) for a couple days.

We have had a couple of days when we couldn't leave he house so her
foot could heal. We have been trying to use our time the best we can even
though we can't really leave the house.

My dad emailed me about 1 Nephi 3:7 a couple weeks ago. On church on
Sunday we read the scripture as we were talking about obedience in
gospel principles. As I was thinking about the week we had, it shows just
how true this scripture really is. Heavenly Father ALWAYS provides a
way for us to accomplish what he asks of us! Always! It doesn't matter
if you can't walk. It doesn't matter if there is no money. There is
always a way. We have seen so many little miracles this week and we
haven't even been able to leave the house as much as we would have
liked to. We received an amazing family referral from the sisters in
one city over. When we called this family they were so excited to meet
with us! On Sunday a man called and said he found our number on
Mormon.org and that he wanted to meet with us. We let the anziani have
the appointment but it was still amazing because I have never had that
happen to me on my mission. Mormon.org isn't popular in Italy at all.
Another women called the Bologna phone and said they had given her a
pass along card on the bus and she wanted to know more. Huge miracle!
I know the Lord always provides a way. If we are trying the best we can he will
always bless us. I trust in the Lord's plan and I will strive to do His
will. I am thankful for the examples of my family and friends who have
shown how to endure well.

And if that wasn't enough for poor Sorella Yonk, she left her wallet
on the bus yesterday. I am sitting in the police station as I write this. By some
miracle she didn't loose that much. I am so impressed with Sorella Yonk. She
hasn't complained at all. She has gone through some hard things these
past two weeks and I'm very impressed how she has handled it all. This
weekend should be crazy and exciting as Edoardo, an 8 year old, is
getting baptized on Saturday. Jenny, in Bologna may also get baptized
on Saturday. And then there may be another 8 year old baptism on
Sunday. Should be fun.

Well I think that's it for now...

Vi voglio un sacco di bene!


Sorella Dani Hamblin

Rule 322: Just Treat Everybody Like It's Their Birthday!

September 9, 2015

Rule 332: Just treat everybody like it's their birthday even if they don't deserve it, because we all mess up sometimes. The biggest mess up? Not forgiving each other's mess ups.-Kid Presiden

Biggest news: I have another companion now! We are in a trio here in Modena! It was kinda crazy getting everything ready for her because we don't have three of anything but it'll all work out. Plus she is only here for three weeks. Her name is Sorella Yonk and I love her already! Her companion went home today so we went to Bologna and picked her up.  She is super fun and I think the three of us are going to work well together these three weeks. The best part about the situation is that we get to go work in Bologna one day a week! Bologna is Sorella Yonk's city and President wants us to keep up the work there. I am excited to see some of the people I worked with in Bologna again! AND I will get to see Jenny and Loredana get baptized! What a tender mercy of the Lord. I couldn't be happier. It is so incredible how the Lord works. If I had any doubts of why I am here in Modena they are gone. The Lord is giving me such a huge blessing and I'm at a loss for words.

But other things happened this week too:  On Thursday and Friday we had a scambio with the Milano Sorelle! I

went to Milano with Sorella Burt! And Sorella Hibo was going to come to Modena to work with Sorella Besco, but after some train confusion they ended up going to Milano too. Milano is huge though so it can handle a few extra Sorelle. It was so fun to be in such a huge city, there were so many people! Haha I'm used to our quaint little Modena. It was a

great scambio. We spent most of our time doing finding work. We are really trying to find more people to teach here in Modena so it was great to get some practice. I learned a lot from Sorella Burt. She is just so positive and confident. I loved spending a day with her.

On Saturday we went to Gianni and Patrizia's house! It was the first time any missionaries ever visited them at the house because it's kind of far. They live in the mountains and it was gorgeous! Patrizia is also a really great artist so her house is covered with little murals she painted on the walls. Gianni and Patrizia are doing wonderful since their baptism. They are just so faithful and constant. The spirit is constantly with them because they are constantly trying to

do the right thing.

Church on Sunday was wonderful! I just love fast Sundays. I love hearing the testimonies of the wonderful members here. This Ward is so amazing and I'm sad we will have to miss some Sunday's here to go to Bologna's ward. But I know everything will work out. This week has been quite on the crazy side but I am just so thankful

that we have a Heavenly Father who has a plan for each and every one of us. We have no need to doubt. We have no need to fear or stress. He is always there.

I love these words from Mormon 9:

27 O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things so ever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.

28 Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God.

It's as simple as that :) I pray that I will always be able to endure to the end. I know it is possible for each one of us!

Love you all, thank you for the letters,

Sorella Dani Hamblin

Rule 263: Let Go of the Banana!

September 2, 2015

Rule 263: Let go of the Banana!

The Elder Kearon Conference last Wednesday was absolutely wonderful! It was exactly everything I needed. It amazes me how the Lord always knows exactly what I need. I don't know if any of you have ever heard Elder Kearon speak, he is an excellent speaker and a very humble man. He is guided by the Spirit as he speaks. He is also British so that wasentertaining too! One of my favorite things that we talked about was "attacking the day", starting the day off right. Everyday must start with a sincere, powerful prayer. How we start the day results in how the whole rest of day goes. If we drift through the morning hours we will find ourselves drifting through the whole day. We also talked a lot about realintent, choices, and action. Everything we do in missionary work (and in life) needs to have real intent behind it,whether it be finding, teaching, or studying. Like Elder Bednar discussed, we talked about how our agency allows us to be happy in any circumstance. Happy is a choice! And lastly, action. Elder Kearon is an action man. I loved this council he gave about note taking. He said instead of writing something in your study journal like, "change badhabits" instead actually write the action you are going to do like, "stop waking up late". He said today is the day to decide to change and actually do it! I agree! It has been a week since the conference and Sorella Besco and I have alreadyseen our days change dramatically as we have decided to attack each day. I am very happy with goals and changes we made to be more efficient and dedicated servants of the Lord.

We were one of the lasts to leave because the conference was held here in Modena so we stayed to clean a few things and then my bike had a flat tire again so it took us a couple minutes to get off. When we finally got everything set and hopped on our bikes Elder Kearon sticks his head out the door and yells at us "Thank you for all that you are doing! Keep it up!" It was just something so simple but it kept me smiling for that whole day.

After our conference on Wednesday we had dinner with Alice. She got back this summer from a foreign exchange program. She had stayed with a Mormon family and one of the brothers of this family came to visit this past week. So we got to meet her American brother! Even cooler they both came to church on Sunday. We aren't sure what Alice thoughtof it but we praying that she felt the spirit.

Last Tuesday we had a lesson with our most progressing investigator. We wanted to make sure she understood the importance of the Book of Mormon. As we were teaching, she starts to bear a beautiful testimony on the Book of Mormon and she knows it is true. On Sunday we were talking after church and she was telling me how all the talks and the lessons were answers to her prayers. I thought to myself, she got so much more out of church today than most members ever do. Unfortunately she is unable to be baptized at this moment because of some difficult circumstances but I am so thankful for her example of humility and courage. This Ward needs her. She is so strong and I have never had an investigator who just "gets it" like she does. We are praying that everything will work out for her.

Marta finally said she wants to be baptized! Unfortunately she is going to Cuba for a month. We are trying to make it possible that she can go to church while she is there.

Sunday night we were doing some finding near the church. It was pretty hot outside so there was no one outside. We passed this one family but there was a man with them that had yelled at us while we were on our bikes earlier. We decided to pass by them. However, after a couple of minutes we realized there was absolutely no one else outside.  So we decided to go back and try the family. They were very nice. As soon as we told ask them if we could show them a video about Christ the man who had yelled at us left. It was so great talking to the family. No, in the end they didn't want to learn more about the church but they said they were grateful we stopped to talk to them. The dad said sometimes you just need to be reminded of these things, you need some renewed hope. I loved talking to this family about Christ and who Jesus is to them. The spirit was there. I know it's not the "coolest" mission story, but it's moments like these that make the whole mission worth it for me. The missionary purpose is to help people come unto Christ. Sometimes we do that in just the smallest ways. I know Heavenly Father led us to that little family. I know He loves all His children. He remembers each and every one of them and He knows what they need. If I can be an instrument to help His children, even in the smallest ways then my mission is complete.

Yesterday one of the young single adults took us to an appointment that was really far. It was so nice to get to talk to her and get to ask her questions about her life and the ward. I realize here in Modena it is the GANS (the young single adults) that keep this ward together. They are the life and heart of the Ward. I think it's weird now that sometimes in America they pull out the YSAs and make their own ward for them. I understand why they do that but I don't it think would work here. They need their YSAs. I am so thankful for them and all that they do. All of them are such amazing examples to me.

Through the ups and the downs I am so thankful to be here in Modena. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else! I hope  school is going well for those who just started and hope mom and dad, you get over your colds!

Vi voglio un mondo di bene!!!

Sorella Dani Hamblin

Rule 251: P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Something Happens)

August 25, 2015

Buongiorno tutti! Sorry I'm emailing a day early because we are having a conference with Elder Kearon tomorrow.I'm excited to hear from a general authority and see where we can improve. I have already been inspired with thecontent we have to read in preparation for the conference.

Other than that, not too much has happen this week. We had some ups and downs this week. We had some moreflat tires (I have the worst luck with tires!), and some more dropped investigators. But despite a week more on therough side we are still happy. Something about being a missionary makes it hard to be truly sad. Sure I get frustrated and disappointed but then I remember what I am doing here and why I came and things don't seem so bad. And we didhave some highs this week. On Sunday we had lunch in church. I love our members so much! They mainly did the lunchfor us missionaries and they brought so much food! Of course we brought a dessert and they loved it! Me and my companion have gotten good at making chocolate trifle (basically it's brownies, pudding, and whipped cream). They all complained about the amount of sugar in it but they loved it all the same!

Oh I forgot to mention last week but me and my companion are staying together here in Modena for another transfer! I'm so happy I'm staying here, I wasn't ready to leave. And now me and my companion will be together for our sharedbirthday

! This week as I have read the Book of Mormon I have been reading the war chapters in Alma. I think they are veryinteresting. The Nephites, as long as they are obedient, always win in the end. Even if they go through times of struggle, even if they lose some cities along the way. If they lose a battle they humble themselves, make new strategy, rejuvenatethemselves, and them come back even stronger. I think we need to do the same when it comes to trials in our lives.I love being on the mission because even though I have been out for a while, I still have to constantly humble myself and make new strategies. I know, like the Nephites, if I am obedient I cannot fail. 

Another highlight of the week! Our investigator found a new job! The best part she knows it is a blessing of her comingcloser to Christ!

Blessings really do come when we obey. I've seen them!

Hope you all see some extra special blessings this week!

Vi Voglio bene!

Sorella Dani Hamblin

Rule 244: When the Going Gets Tough, Throw It In...

Rule 244: When the going gets tough, throw it in the peach bag

First off, I just wanted to say sorry for last week, I got some amazing emails and I wasn't able to respond to all of them, but please know they were greatly appreciated! I have the best family and friends!

This week somehow we lost a few investigators. It is hard to know when you should drop someone or not but there comes a point when you have done all you can and they have to make a choice whether to keep commitments or not. But the Lord blessed us with member visits this week. We got fed lunch 4 times this past week. It was a miracle! That's more than all of last transfer. 

We are starting a new indicative/challenge for the ward. We are basing it off of this the Europe Area Plan 2015 and thisquote by President Benson: "Often we spend great effort in trying to increase the activity levels in our stakes. We work diligently to raise the percentages of those attending sacrament meetings. We labor to get a higher percentage o ouryoung men on missions. We strive to improve the numbers of those marrying in the temple. All of these are com-mendable efforts and important to the growth of the kingdom. But when individual members and families immersethemselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these other areas of activity will automatically come.Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow."We are challenging each family to read the Book of Mormon in 90 days. It is amazing how this message has been really touched each familydifferently. Everyone said they needed it, all for different reasons.

"There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path." (President Benson)

I heard Derrek gave a great talk on Sunday. I loved seeing pics of the whole family there.

These are the some of the GANS (Young Single Adults) here in Modena!They're the best!

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Thanks for all the great emails!

Vi voglio un sacco di bene!

Sorella Dani Hamblin

Rule 241: If You Always Do What You've Always Done...

August 12, 2015

Rule 241: If you always do what you've always done, you will always
get what you always got

Today was our mission-wide Feragosto Super Deep Cleaning P-day event!
Today everyone in the mission super deep cleaned their apartments. And
it was an event I'll tell you ;) it was a fun day of finding hidden
treasures of missionaries past and debugging our apartment. For some
reason we decided to leave Gideon the huge spider in a study room. We
see him as more as a protection from other bugs than a threat. Sorry
if that grosses any of you out but I can tell you the rest of our
apartment is spiffy clean!

This was an interesting week. We met some "fun" people. Sorella Besco
and I really trying to find some new people to teach. We decided to
try changing up how we work a little because like President Dibb
always says, "If you always do what you've always done, you will
always get what you always got."

We decided to talk to the guy who works at the bar we always pass to
and from church. He always waves at us and one time he gave us
brioches. Well we stopped and he said he a lot of questions.
As we were talking to him a woman was there as well. She saw the Book
of Mormon in my basket and told me she had never seen one before, I
explained it and told her we could bring one to her house. She was
very excited and said she would love that. She is going on vacation
for two weeks but I am excited to see her as soon as she gets back.
Anyways back to the other guy, it turns out all he wanted to do was
tell us that we were wrong and that we couldn't change the world. He
practically just yelled at us the whole time. However, I didn't feel
bad or ashamed or anything. I just felt even more confident and full
of the spirit. I didn't feel the need to argue back, not that he would
have let me.  He told me there is no God and told me to try praying to
myself. I just left him my testimony that we are all children of a
loving Heavenly Father. He told me I was hard headed, but the thing is
he just doesn't know. He hasn't felt what I have felt. He probably has
never felt the Holy Ghost confirm something in his heart. He has
probably never felt the joy of having a prayer answered while reading
a scripture. I left feeling bad for him. We tried to leave the Book of
Mormon or even a pamphlet but he refused both. We still wave at him
every time we pass by. My companion and I talked about how experiences
like that just make us grateful to have been born in the church.
Sometimes it's really hard to find the truth.

I'm sorry for a shorter email this week but I've run out of time! Hope
you all have a great week!

Love you all!!!

Sorella Dani Hamblin

Rule 327: Change the Bait!

August 5, 2015

Time is flying so fast, I can't believe it is P day again! We had a
good solid week here Modena. My poor companion has a really bad cold,
whoops "allergies" (we are trying to be optimistic). The poor girl has
a really bad cough which makes teaching lessons pretty difficult.
We had dinner with Alice, our investigator who did a foreign exchange
program in Oregon and just barely got back. She stayed with a member
family there and is used to the missionaries. She asked if people fed
us a lot like in America they feed the missionaries, and we told her
they don't really feed us here. So she decided to make us dinner
herself, she really is the sweetest! It was really cool because her
friend from Oregon was visiting too! This friend is actually atheist.
It surprised me how hard it was to get over my fears of not offending
her and share my testimony of the fact that we do have a Heavenly
Father who loves us very much. I have never struggled talking to an
atheist before. We meet them all the time here. As I was pondering why that
lesson was unusually hard I realized that the lesson was in English. I
have never given it much thought before but it really is true that I
am called in the language of Italian. I am much more confident in the
Italian language. Even though I don't speak it perfectly I really
enjoy teaching in Italian. I know the Gift of Tongues, it's easier to
feel the spirit guide when I am speaking Italian.

With the rest of my family I started the "read the Book of Mormon 3
times in 90 days" challenge on Derreks's birthday, August 1st. My
companion is doing it with me! I have to say, it's not easy to read 18
pages a day, but it is worth it. I love the Book of Mormon and I am
excited to read it 3 more times before the end of my mission. It truly
amazes me how that Book always has the words I need for that day in
specific. I also absolutely love Nephi. He was such a humble person and
recognizes the hand of the Lord in everything he does.

I absolutely love the people we are working with here. They are some
of the most incredible people I ever met in my life. They are truly
changing their lives to align their will with God's. That takes
incredible humility. That takes incredible courage. Honestly there are
4 people here who could be baptized tomorrow. However, each has there
own block, whether it be cancer treatments, work on Sundays, or living
with someone they are not married to. All want to change, all want to
follow Christ but in order to take the next step some HUGE sacrifices
need to be made. If I was in their positions I don't know what I would
do. All I can do is pray and fast. And say and do the things Heavenly
Father would have me say and do. Sometimes if feels like I'm pushing
against a brick wall; but even that makes you stronger. We had a
beautiful lesson with one of our investigators who is facing one of
these problems. All we talked about during the lesson was our Savior,
Jesus Christ. The Spirit was so strong in that lesson. After the
closing prayer no one could say a word. Our investigator just sat
there, soaking it all in. It was as if she was trying to take hold of
the spirit so she could  keep it with her even after we left, even when times
got a little tough that week. I never wanted more for her to have the
Gift of the Holy Ghost. It will change her life. It will give her the
strength she needs. I wish I could take her trials away, I wish she
were able to be baptized this week, or even this month. She is ready.
She thinks so, Bishop thinks so, the whole ward thinks so, I think so,
but it's not about what we think. There is One whose thoughts are
higher than our thoughts, whose plan is divine, and who knows exactly
what He is doing. Like Nephi, "I know in whom I have trusted." And if
He wants me and my investigators to push against a few brick walls
then we will keep pushing. We will push until we are as strong as He
needs us to be. I don't understand all things, but I know God does.
And I trust in His plan.

Vi voglio bene

,
Sorella Dani Hamblin


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