Sorella Oakes will speak Sunday, February 10, at 9:00 am in Sacrament Meeting.
The address is:
1260 West 1150 North
Provo
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Last letter from Italy (Verona)
Dear Family,
I want to tell you a few of my thoughts and feelings, since I'll be leaving in two days. Sorella Padula has helped me to concentrate and work hard every day and so I feel great! Sometimes I feel this peace and joy fill me up when I think about the people that I love here, that I've not only served but have served me! I love each one of the companions that I served with more than ever. Sorella Padula is a true GEM because she has helped me to endure to the end! This week she told me during the 13th point of our weekly planning session "Sorella Oakes I tell you what I told Sorella Simpkins the week before she went home- this week, Satan will try his best to tempt you to relax and not work, or to become stressed and nervous,etc. He'll do anything he can to tempt you so that you will not be as effective as you can be. Don't give in to him!". She then added with a smile, "I know that you won't." It was a spiritual power statement that had a great effect on me. All week long it goes through my mind. Thanks to her, this week has been one of the best work weeks of my mission. I feel so good and grateful to her. I've said it once and I'll say it again, Sorella Padula is converting me to Jesus Christ. I love her! I appreciate her!
I haven't told you anything about her, but one of our investigators will be baptized on friday! It's the day after I leave and I wish I could see her but I'm just happy for her! She's nine years old and her family is reactivated. I love their family so much. I'll tell you all about them in a few days.
I still have many imperfections and weaknesses, but I know that I have gone up on the conversion scale, because I have a strong desire to share the gospel with everyone and when I think about going home, I want to serve others. I want to be busy introducing my non-member friends to the missionaries, cleaning, babysitting, fulfilling callings, studying, etc. I want to keep progressing and being converted, and converting others. My entire perspective about life and what makes me happy has changed. I'm not worried at all, I'll just take everything one day at a time.
I know I have spent a lot of time talking about me, but I hope that it will help Elder Oakes as you continue working hard!
I'll share one miracle story of the week!
I'll tell you about two miracles that occurred at the same time!
As we got on the bus and began to sit down, the spirit told me "talk to those two young girls in the back!" It was so clear. Right then, Sorella Padula said, "I feel like we need to talk to this man behind us." We both felt so strongly and this urgency to talk to these different people that we agreed that we'd have to split up. The young girls that I talked to were very sincere and happy to talk with me. They asked me lots of questions about what we do as missionaries. When I told them about the restoration one of them lit up. She seemed very touched by the spirit. She asked me "do you have an internet site that I can read and learn more about this?" I asked her if we could pass by her home with a Book of Mormon. She then seemed sad and said "I wish, but my parents would never let me. I'm sorry". When I offered to give her the Book of Mormon I was holding in my hand she said, "really, are you sure it wouldn't be a problem?" I was thrilled and said, "of course not! If you'll read it I'll give it to you right now!" She said, "I love reading the bible. I'll read this! Thank you so much!" She was one of the most elect people I have ever met. I feel that she'll join the church in the future.
Meanwhile, Sorella Padula approached this man that she had felt prompted to talk to. As he lifted up his head she realized he was our investigator, Collins! He seemed down. As she talked with him he told her, "I just finished working. My boss offered me a few hours of work tomorrow morning, but it's sunday. I don't know what to do." As they talked more, Collins said that instantly after his boss had talked to him he received our text message that read "like Nephi, God will help us to obey the commandments if we put our trust in Him 1 Nephi 3:7". (Wow, daily contacting points!) As he read the text message he knew that he should come to church, but it was really hard to turn down an opportunity to earn money that he desperately needs. Sorella Padula bore testimony to Him about the power of God and that He'll take care of us when we have faith to obey His commandments.
It was amazing how the Lord led us to talk to these people in this moment. If both of us would have approached Collins, we wouldn't have talked to the young girls, or vice versa! I'm grateful for the guidance and promptings of the Spirit.
As we got on the bus and began to sit down, the spirit told me "talk to those two young girls in the back!" It was so clear. Right then, Sorella Padula said, "I feel like we need to talk to this man behind us." We both felt so strongly and this urgency to talk to these different people that we agreed that we'd have to split up. The young girls that I talked to were very sincere and happy to talk with me. They asked me lots of questions about what we do as missionaries. When I told them about the restoration one of them lit up. She seemed very touched by the spirit. She asked me "do you have an internet site that I can read and learn more about this?" I asked her if we could pass by her home with a Book of Mormon. She then seemed sad and said "I wish, but my parents would never let me. I'm sorry". When I offered to give her the Book of Mormon I was holding in my hand she said, "really, are you sure it wouldn't be a problem?" I was thrilled and said, "of course not! If you'll read it I'll give it to you right now!" She said, "I love reading the bible. I'll read this! Thank you so much!" She was one of the most elect people I have ever met. I feel that she'll join the church in the future.
Meanwhile, Sorella Padula approached this man that she had felt prompted to talk to. As he lifted up his head she realized he was our investigator, Collins! He seemed down. As she talked with him he told her, "I just finished working. My boss offered me a few hours of work tomorrow morning, but it's sunday. I don't know what to do." As they talked more, Collins said that instantly after his boss had talked to him he received our text message that read "like Nephi, God will help us to obey the commandments if we put our trust in Him 1 Nephi 3:7". (Wow, daily contacting points!) As he read the text message he knew that he should come to church, but it was really hard to turn down an opportunity to earn money that he desperately needs. Sorella Padula bore testimony to Him about the power of God and that He'll take care of us when we have faith to obey His commandments.
It was amazing how the Lord led us to talk to these people in this moment. If both of us would have approached Collins, we wouldn't have talked to the young girls, or vice versa! I'm grateful for the guidance and promptings of the Spirit.
I know this is the one and only true church of Jesus Christ. He's in charge of every aspect of this work. A living prophet, Thomas S. Monson is His servant. The Book of Mormon is the word of God! I know these things are true and no one on the planet could ever convince me otherwise!
Love,
Sorella Oakes
2nd to the Last Week in Italy
Dearest Family,
It was a great week! One of our investigators had a break through! She has been attended our church for years, but has always been doubtful about why we obey certain commandments, such as the word of wisdom, or keeping the law of tithing, etc. We have taught her a few times about the basic and foundational principles of the gospel- the restoration, the importance of the priesthood and the significance of the baptismal covenant. After teaching this things in a very simple and clear way, she still could not understand why she needs to be baptized.
Due to chronic illness, she has not been able to receive us or come to church these last few weeks. But one of her friends, a faithful sister in our ward told us some exciting news two days ago- this woman now wants to be baptized! A few members in our ward have been visiting her to clean her home, to pay her visits and some priesthood holders gave her a healing blessing last week. After she received the blessing, she immediately felt better and was able to sleep through that night. She told this sister in our ward, "Now I understand the power of the priesthood. I'll do anything it takes to be baptized, I'll give up my coffee and drink orzo instead." She wanted to ride her bike all the way across town to attend Institute Wednesday night. The member advised her to take it easy and not push her body too much.
When I heard the sister in our ward recount this experience, I was filled with excitement and joy! While a sure testimony of the restored gospel is based on diligent reading of the Book of Mormon and having daily spiritual experiences, I was happy that this woman received an understanding of the power of the priesthood by experiencing its influence for herself. I am happy that she had the faith in the priesthood so that she could receive its healing power. Heavenly Father's love is truly manifest through the power of the priesthood. We're
( members) all preparing this daughter of God to receive a fulness of His blessings on earth- the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, and eventually the blessings of the temple.
This week I learned a few things about humility. Sorella Padula said something that I love, "Humility is not acting inferior or coming off as if you are of less value, or less intelligent, less talented, etc. than others...humility is developing and sharing/radiating the gifts that God has given you to praise Him and to bless others. And with this, to always give the credit to God for what you have been able to perform. It is thanking Him in prayer for increasing your capacity to serve others."
She is an outstanding example of humility in this way. She lets her light shine, and its pure because she always uses her talents to praise God, and never to build herself up. She just wants to bring others unto Christ.
I hope that a few things that I have said will boost you up this week. Love you lots!
Sorella Oakes
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