October 7, 2015
Our Ward here in Modena is just wonderful! I am constantly impressed
by the strength of these members. On Thursday night we had an appointment
with our investigator Ina, that Bishop had set up for us. He and his
wife drove us to the appointment. Ina told us the most amazing
news! She is healing! Her cancer is going away! It doesn't even feel
real. This is definitely one of the biggest miracles I've seen on my
mission. Her doctors are amazed. No one is too surprised though
because Ina has such incredible faith. All the doctors say
they have never have seen anyone as optimistic as Ina. Now that she
is feeling better both Ina and Vescovo (bishop) want her to be
baptized as soon as possible. We still have quite a few lessons to
teach her but she should be baptized this month. We met with her
today. She is in a lot of pain but she is receiving her last treatment
this weekend! I love teaching her, because she already lives the gospel!
She had never heard of the word of wisdom but is already following it
to a T. We haven't talked to her about the importance of praying, yet
she says the most sincere, heartfelt prayers and she prays often! I
have never seen anyone more prepared.
2nd miracle this week: our investigator who fasted for the first time
a couple weeks ago saw an answer to her fast this week! She said it
was because of us and we said no, it was because of her faith! She
really has incredible faith and I am so thankful for this miracle in
her life!
One of the members here came home from her mission on Thursday! She
served in Spain! The Ward threw a little party for her on Friday. It
was fun watching the Ward get so excited for her to come home. At the
party everyone was asking so many questions about her mission. Someone
asked her what she misses most about the mission and she said that she
misses having the Spirit with her every minute of every day. It really
made me think about how true that is. The Spirit is our constant
companion. I can feel it even in the small things I do; riding my
bike, getting ready for bed, and even eating. I realize I have taken
this for granted. I know it's not difficult for me to have the Spirit
with us, because we are constantly on the Lord's errand. There is a rarely
a prayer we say that we don't sincerely ask for the Spirit to guide
us. I loved the emphasis that speakers gave to searching to have the
Spirit with us constantly.
It is still weird watching conference on a different schedule. We
watch the Saturday morning session on Saturday night at six. Then
Sunday they show the priesthood session at 11, the Saturday afternoon
session at 2, and the Sunday morning session at 6. Then you are left
on your own to watch the Sunday afternoon session sometime the next
week. I'm so thankful for modern technology that allows us to watch
the two morning sessions live with the whole world. I hope you all got
to watch all the sessions of conference because they were amazing.
If I could name one of the themes of the conference I would name it
"How to endure to the end. And how to do it happily." I really like
the Women's Conference and the first session especially emphasized
this theme. This life is supposed to be enjoyed. Yes, we have trials.
It's supposed to be like that. But with the gospel we can truly be
happy, no matter what!
2 Nephi chapter 2 is one of my favorite chapters in the Book of
Mormon. As I was reading it this past week a different verse stuck out
to me. Verse 8 reads:
"Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto
the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no
flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the
merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his
life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the
Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being
the first that should rise."
After hearing our wonderful leaders speak this past weekend and
receiving so much guidance and inspiration my desire to share is even
more profound. I know that it is only through Christ that we can be
truly happy. I'm so thankful for prophets and apostles who show us the
way. This is truly the restored Church of Jesus Christ again upon the
Earth. I know it with my whole soul and I will never deny it. I chose
to Ponderize this scripture this week! What scripture are you
ponderizing! I loved that talk by Devin Durrant. I remember when he
was Mission President in Dallas. I remember when he came to our stake
conference, I only wish I remembered what he talked about in those stake
conferences! I thought his talk was fantastic and I loved his two
invites. I hope you all consider following both of his invites.
I don't know if you could tell but I really enjoyed conference! Haha --
after every talk I was just like, "that was perfect!" Like my
grandparents said, I couldn't begin to pick a favorite talk. Our
leaders are truly inspired. Even the music was inspired! I have never
appreciated more the beautiful fact that we have a living prophet and
apostles who lead and guide this church. I know each and every one of
them is called of God. I am thankful for the lives they have lived and
for their willingness to give their will to God. I am so thankful to
be a part of this church.
I challenge you all to take what you learned from conference, exercise
a little faith, discipline yourself, and do it!
I love and appreciate you so much! Thank you for all that you do!
-Sorella Dani Hamblin
