MTC Letter #8-Final Post from MTC

Caro Famiglia,

Thank you for all of your letters and love! Marshal, Catalina, Marin and Capri- I loved loved your drawings! You are so talented and I felt so happy. I will be writing you your own letters and sending them today. Dad, mom and Weylin, and Grandparents Oakes and Grandparents Garner as well. Your letters are a strength and light to me!!! What wisdom. I'm so blessed to have an incredible family like you.

Recently, I've been "beholding" all of the blessings that the Lord has given me. Last night was our last tuesday devotional inthe MTC. Right before we entered the gym (conference area), I said a silent prayer to Heavenly Father to have one of the quorum of the twelve apostles speak to us, if it was His will. I felt like we would. And we did.

Elder Ballard came. I felt the Spirit as we spoke. I cannot describe how I felt/feel when I feel this Spirit in my heart. At this time, it is a deep impression of peace, reassurance, confidence, yet great humility. I am weak, but the Lord is with me. His Spirit will be my constant companion and will tell me all things that I should do if I remain close to Christ. I just feel good. Sometimes, when I feel the Spirit, it is exhilirating and awakening...:) many times literally! One of the greatest miracles I receive each day is how I can remain awake and do so much each day. I know that I could not possibly do even a portion of the work that without prayer- I'm praying every hour for the Spirit and to be able to remain alert.

Concerning Elder Ballard's talk, he spoke words that came straight from God, and many of them were just what I and all of the departing missionaries needed to hear. I'll send notes by mail, along with Elder Holland's notes. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to hear the witness of an apostle of Jesus Christ, and to be in his prescence. Even though he is merely a man, he has consecrated his life to the Lord's service and speak's in His Holy name. I know that President Monson is our living Prophet on the earth today, and that His words will guide us, protect us, and greatly bless us. Think of all of the centuries in the history of the earth when men and women did not have access to hearing the words of the Prophet, or ever seeing His face or hearing his words. Think of the times of apostasy, when the people were so wicked/disobbedient to God's commandments that He had to take away His Prophet from the earth. It was only a few years ago that the mass media has become available, that we have the capacity to watch general conference and to hear the voices and lovely words of the Prophets and apostles of our Savior Jesus Christ! I am so excited to watch general conference...we'll see what will happen in Italy. I might watch it the first time in Italian.

We have the Book of Mormon. I love the Book of Mormon. The fulness of the gospel and plan of salvation is contained in the Book of Mormon. I testify that it contains the testimony of ancient prophets who lived in America. Their bore their testimony with their lives and many of them died for this great cause. They were men of God, and they lived for the success of our day. Joseph Smith was a simple and humble young man who prayed near his home to know which church to join. He prayed in great faith, and he did not cease to pray until he received an answer from God. He had read James 1:5 which promises all that if you ask God in faith, believing ye shall receive, it shall be liberally given unto you.

I testify that he did receive an answer. God and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph in the sacred grove. Joseph saw their perfected and glorified bodies in the flesh, "brighther than the sun". They spoke to Joseph, and called him by name. Heavenly Father had a plan for Joseph Smith to be the next prophet for our dispensation, as prophets of old.

Joseph Smith eventually restored the fulness of Christ's gospel, priesthood and authority on the earth. Today, there are many faithful men and women who seek the truth of God in their lives. There are people in Italy who are ready to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our living Prophet, (who is the Prophet for all of us, even those who don't believe), has called apostles to go to all four corners of the earth to spread the word. That Christ atoned for our sins and earthly pains, and that He lives! He rose from the dead, and His work is not yet finished! There are still many who have never heard His truth, but are waiting to receive it.

The Prophet and apostles have called thousands of missionaries to assist in this work. What a priveledge and an opportunity it is to a part of it all. This is the Lord's work, and He is in charge of it all. I merely represent Him, and receive a portion of His Spirit, so that I may convice others of His glory and of His love. Next week, I'll be boarding a plane and heading to my assigned area where Heavenly Father/ Prophet Monson has called me to serve. I'll open my mouth and testify of Christ, I'll work night and day to serve others. Watch out Italy, here we come!

I love you all so very much,

Sorella Oakes

MTC Letter #7 (Quincy wants #6 for family only)

Carissimo famiglia!

What a great week! I feel like I am about ready to go to Italy. I cannot wait to give everything I have to serve. I love being a servant of the Lord! My Italian and everything has really picked up and I'm feeling like I can actually express my personality and speak with greater ease in lessons. The Spirit is the best teacher, and He is helping me to become a better teacher as well...everything summed up, things are starting to really click and I want to sprint. I"m so joyful. Ah, my english is suffering but I'm kind of happy to start forget it and become an italiana.

Mom- that package made me so happy! Haha, that bow was really big. It looked like a hat. In one of the new sister orientations in the MtC that we have on sundays, the presidencies' wives instruct about how to dress, and to take care of ourselves. It reminded me of one girl who stood up and asked "Is this bow that I'm wearing too big?" The sweet sister didn't know how to respond so she said, "Why don't you pray about it". It was really funny. Anyways, and that pie!!!! I cannot tell you how happy I was, I gasped and told me my sorelle, "We need to keep this between us, because this is one of my grandma's precious boysenberry pies! Is it okay if we don't share it with any of the other sisters?" So, we had a pie pact in the hall last night, Sorella Nilson, Camp and Rust(my porteguese sister). We all agreed it was divine. It was heaven for me because it was just like home, just like every birthday.

Last week we received seven new sorelle headed for Italy, six for Rome and one more for Milan. We have three new anziani. The sorelle are incredible incredible women and I love them. The sisters giong to Rome do not know a lick of Italian but they will learn quickly because they are very diligent and ask us questions all the time. We love them so much. Interestingly, the one going to Milan has also studied Italian at BYU before receiving her call. I think that sometimes Heavenly Father blesses His daughters who desire to serve full time missions by sending them where their heart longs to go. I feel that way personally, but at the same time, I know that He has perfectly orchestrated people to be in my path here, and in Italy. People, my brothers and sisters whom I am supposed to meet and help. I cannot wait to go home to Italy! My heart is overflowing with rejoicing and excitement. I don't think I'm really nervous- wow, what a blessing. I know that the Lord is with me. I am weak but He overrules all, and He loves and protects His servants. With God, all things are possible.

Last fast sunday morning, the MTC held our monthly devotional in the morning, when all the MTC presidency members and some of their wives speak to us. A few hours later we had fast and testimony meeting in our branch. The whole day was a spiritual feast! From some of the talks from the devotional, as well as last night's devotional (Elder Jensen spoke), one thing that particularly struck home for me was that we/I as missionaries need to improve our teaching skills. WE have a testimony that the gospel is true, WE know, WE feel...but how can we improve our skills so that we can help our investigators to feel the Spirit. I've been studying and practicing lots of different things this week. Asking inspired questions that provoke thought, how to simply explain doctrines and relate things in an appropriate way to them. One reason why I think singing invites the spirit so strongly is because each person has the opportunity to raise their voice and participate. When we as individuals participate in the gospel/a lesson/bearing testimonies, it is most edifiying. One of the greatest ways to strengthen one's testimony is by bearing it out loud. Therefore, how much will it strengthen an investigator's testimony if the missionary simply talks on and on about his own knowledge without giving him to opportunity to speak. It will do absolutely nothing for them.

From my studies and these speakers this week, it is also essential to be a master discerner. To discern their needs, their faith...by the meanings of the things they say, explicitly and unexplicitly. By the things they don't share, but you can see in their eyes. Wow, I am so grateful that I did not go on my mission earlier. I can see in retrospect how much the Lord was preparing me by all of the things I did before. My callings in YSA helped me to reach out more, know how to conduct meetings and love people, and to feel more confident and less nervous. Sunday school teaching- I only taught like four times, but the things I learned are so precious to me. I really learned how a good teacher knows how to lead discussions by asking excellent questions, and talking as equals with people, rather than simply sharing deep doctrine and personal testimony. People really appreciate and respond to that, and it is much more edifying. My major- wow! Family science has been so central to every principle of the gospel, especially in the world today. I can't share a portion of the things I've learned. My job as a secretary- learning how to start conversations and get to know and love people from scratch. Building trust is keyas a missionary. By charity, others can discern/recognize the Lord's true disciples. Weylin- the Lord has a perfect plan for you. I'm so excited to hear about how you are preparing. My fratello in the Lord!!!!! Let's go, and give it all we have. What an incredible and glorious adventure.

I love you all more than ever. I know that Heavenly Father will bless us greatly for forgetting ourselves and submitting to His will. We love Him by obeying His Spirit, and sharing His gospel with others. This is the greatest way we can bless others and help them to have peace and joy in this life. Have a wonderful week! If you get a chance, write to me and share the things that you are learning about how to be a good teacher. I'm sure I could learn a lot from your insights.

Love, Vi voglio benissimo.

Sorella Oakes