Milan Mission Blog

View a beautiful video put to Josh Groban's, "Thankful" posted at Christmas on the Milan Mission Blog! Truly, there's so much to be grateful for as we see the people join the Church in the Milan, Italy Mission.

16th Letter from Cuneo

Dear Loved Ones,

David received the Priesthood Sunday! It is wonderufl to see him progress, and to hear Osagie bear his testimony in Italian to our new investigators. They are both growing in their testimonies.

Sorella Willey and I felt a prompting to do casa in a particular place in Cuneo. As we rode our bikes down a certain street I said, "I feel like they are going to be on the left side of the street". She thought for a moment and then said, "Me too!" Usually, we do not receive very specific inspiration about where to do finding work (you just have to have faith and go to work!)...but it always exciting to feel like there is a certain person in particular who the Lord is leading you to that day. We rang on a few citifonos, and one woman let us in. She opened the door with a timid smile on her face. When we saw that she was cleaning we offered to help. She opened the door wide open and let us in! She said, "Sit down, sit". As we sat down at her kitchen table, I felt the prompting to ask if we could immediately say a prayer. She said, "How about you say the words and I will repeat after you". Wow! I cannot describe how beautiful the spirit was as we said a prayer together. She was as humble and teachable as a child. As we taught her the first lesson she accepted everything with open heart. She even cried several times and said, "How can I ever repay you! Thank you for coming here tonight. I feel so distant from my Heavenly Father and I am sad. I want to change certain things in my life". At one point during the lesson she even interrupted and said, "I want to tell you right now that I am inviting myself to meet with you again, and I am going to come to your church when you have service". It was as if she was commiting herself before we had time to ask her the questions. I have never met someone so prepared and eager to learn about the gospel. One of her sons was there during the lesson, and he was a bit of a distraction to the Spirit, but if he had not been there, I am confident that she would have accepted a baptismal date. As Sorella Willey and I rode our bikes home, we truly felt to sing the song of redeeming love (Alma 5). I have never been so happy in my entire life. This is but one of the miracles that the Lord has blessed us with this week.

Love,

Sorella Oakes

15th Letter from Cuneo

Dear Family,

Osagie's baptism was absolutely peaceful, smooth, simple, and wonderful. So many were busy around the holidays that we prepared a simple quick service. When Osagie came out of the water, he took in a deep breath, wiped off his wet face and just beamed. He later told us that "I got another testimony." The best part of that night was when he bore his testimony. He walked up to the little pulpit, reached in his jacket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He unfolded it and read his prepared testimony, and Sorella Willey translated in Italian. I had no idea how much he has been converted. His testimony was so powerful and sincere and no one in the room could doubt it. He said, "I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet because when I read about his history or his words, I just know. Every time I read the Book of Mormon I feel as if I was there, and I was living the stories. I know that it is the word of God. I know this is the true church of Christ on the Earth." Wow. I am so happy that he is immersing himself in the Book of Mormon. I am glad that he was not baptized sooner. He could have been, but it was just beautiful.

The next day one of our ward members, Carlos Ciccio, gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost and I am sure that the Spirit helped him to say everything in English. Osagie has experienced a change of heart and is so pleased. You could describe his countenance as "content." Haha, during our last lesson with him he told us, "I think that I am going to be an apostle someday." And yes, he is serious. Who knows, that would be really neat! Only Heavenly Father knows.

(Sorry, cut and pasted again from the letter to my Mission Pres.)

My companion has the faith of a giant. Despite any obstacle that we face, she has confidence that the Lord will grant anything she prays and works for. She always focuses on the positive side of the situation and does not let herself get discouraged. My faith has grown so so much by being with her. There was one experience this week that had a great impact on me. One night I had a terrible nightmare and awoke crying. She turned on the light, invited me over to her bed and held me. She suggested we read from the scriptures for a little bit, and then we said a prayer. The next morning in personal study she found a chapter in the scriptures and shared it with me. She said, "This chapter was written just for you Sorella Oakes". We read it together and I cried, but this time, my heart was full of love and gratitude for my companion and for the Lord.

2. MIRACLE: Describe one miracle that occurred this past week; something that increased your awareness that God is directing your work:

Last week, during nightly programming, both Sorella Willey and I felt inspired to do some finding work in Piazza Europa the next morning. Upon arriving, I saw this man sitting on a bench and felt the urge to talk to him. His back was turned to us but as we sat down next to him he seemed familiar. It was Omar! A contact we had made a few weeks earlier, but who would not respond to our phone calls. As we listened to him, he began to pour out his soul to us. He expressed strong desire to make some kind of a "spiritual step" in his life to come closer to Christ, but he did not know how to get there. He told us that despite all of his prayers and studies in the Bible, he felt like something was missing in his life. The Spirit helped us to teach a powerful first lesson, we invited him to baptized on the 28th of January and he accepted. We walked to the church, and as he walked inside he said, "I felt something really special here." We knelt and said a prayer and invited him to join us at Osagie's baptism.

From then on, everything has run as smoothly as molasses. Omar is one of those golden souls whom every missionary would dream to teach. He has been prepared by the Lord to receive our message, keeps his commitments and is preparing for his baptism. Each time that we meet him he seems to have changed even more. His face is softer, you can see the gratitude in his eyes and his deep testimony. I know that Omar is a tender mercy that the Lord has sent us because of all the times that we struggle and continue on in the work, even if it is hard.

In spite of all of the obstacles that we have experienced in the past week, I am grateful for the conversion that I am experiencing with my companion, and for the beautiful people that the Lord places in our lives. These moments are even more sweet and beautiful because they are in the midst of the struggles.

Love,

Sorella Oakes

14th Letter from Cuneo

Dear Family,

It was soo wonderful to talk to you Christmas day! Words cannot express how much each one of you means to me. I will respond to personal questions via letters, I will send them out today.

Some quick updates about David and Osagie! David is remaining really strong in the gospel, and his mom is attending church every week. We have been having a few family home evening appointments with various members and our branch president had all of us over for Christmas eve. It was beautiful. They sent us home with a huge box of food.

Osagie is reading the Book of Mormon every day and loves it! In two days he read ten chapters. He is excited about bearing his testimony in Italian at his baptism. With the holidays it has been hard to get different ward members to come with us to his lessons, but for now he has Peter and Fratello Termini as really great friends. Christmas Day Jose Ciccio and their huge family invited the three of us, Sorella W and I, plus Osagie over for lunch. They are very loving to him and he had a good time. It is beautiful to see how the gospel is changing him and opening him up. His baptism on Saturday will be beautiful. We will see how many people can come, but there will at least be a few.

1. GEM: Describe one thing your companion did for you this last week that made you want to be a better missionary:

Sorella Willey has taught me so much about patience. She is very thoughtful about all those around her. She yields for people walking on the street when we are riding our bikes, smiles and says, "prego". She can listen to people talk for fifteen minutes during the lessons without interupting them and just shows her concern and love in her eyes. All of these little things have made a big impression on me. I realize how much I can work on to really show others how much I care...about THEM. At the end of an exhausting day, Sorella Willey does not forget to show how she cares for me.

If I could describe Sorella Willey in one word, it would be SOLID. She has her priorities straight! Her first commitment is to her Heavenly Father, then to her mission president and then to me. It is very easy to get along with her because she is forever loyal to those around her.

2. MIRACLE: Describe one miracle that occurred this past week; something that increased your awareness that God is directing your work:

After three days of traveling across Northern Italy, Sorella Willey and I were tired, hungry and ready to head home to Cuneo. While waiting for the train the Milano station, we were sitting next to a man and I felt a prompting to talk to him. I did not particularly want to, but I remembered the phrase "Be a forever finder" from the new personal growth standards page. I looked at the pizza box on my lap, my stomach growled... "Ciao! Come sta Lei?" flew out of my mouth. The hardest part was over. After a few minutes of casual conversation, we found out that this man had once had a girlfriend who was a strong member of the church. He was incredibly open to learning more about the gospel, we placed a Book of Mormon in his hand and gave his number to the missionaries in his city. Mmm that pizza tasted so much better when I got on the train. A few minutes later the Spirit prompted me to talk to a couple sitting nearby. "Ahh, not again!" I thought. I had talked to many people all day and thought that I had done enough. Haha, sometimes I need to be more humble and stop resisting the promptings of the Spirit. My heart burned more and more the longer I waited. Once we finally started a conversation, they were super open too and we got their number as well. To say the least, the next train we got on, we found one more young women and taught her a lesson. The Spirit blesses us with tons of opportunities, as long as we are willing to allow Him to lead us to the miracles!

Love,

Sorella Oakes

13th Letter from Cuneo

Dear Family,

Sorry that I am writing a few days sooner than you expected. Sorella Willey and I are traveling for a few days so we figured that we would get right back to work in Cuneo on Wednesday rather than have our P-day on Wednesday. We are in Verona for a day to get her permesso renewed, then we will travel through Milano and Modena tomorrow to attend another area's Zone Conference....because our area's Zone Conference is scheduled during a very important ward Christmas Concert in Cuneo on Friday....long story.

Alright, a little about Sorella Willey... she is from Pleasant Grove, played the cello in the Mormon Tabernacle Orchestra, graduated in cello performance and is considering getting her Masters in Religion. She has such a deep knowledge of the scriptures and history and religion...or of any subject because she has taken so many college classes and loves to read. She attended BYU and USC, actually, so you might recognize her face from Stake Conference. She knows Tujunga.

I absolutely love having conversations with her because I learn so much. I cannot get enough of it. She is 25 years old, very mature...haha, sometimes I laugh because she has a habit of coming up with cheesy puns during the day. Sometimes it seems like she is ten or twenty years older than me, but it is a privilege to work with her. We are going to have a super productive...busy transfer!

Sorella Willey is one of the hardest working missionaries I have ever met. She is strictly obedient to the mission rules, and gives her heart to all with whom she associates. She has the best intentions, and is constantly trying to be helpful to me as her sister and as a missionary. Like Sorella Ryan, I will learn a lot from her, and her influence is helping me to reach my full-potential. It is incredible how the Lord increases our capacity over time. I am so excited about all the opportunities that life gives me to grow and learn. It is an endless quest of changing and repenting. I am glad that it never has to end, as long as we desire to improve ourselves.

We have seen soo many miracles within the past few days. David's mom came to church on Sunday for his confirmation. It was beautiful. Rosie, David's mom, remained for Gospel Principles and Relief Society. She could not help but smile the entire three hours. Everyone was so warm and loving to her and she felt the Spirit really strongly. She will be baptized, if not now, in the future. David is as strong as ever, and when he bears his testimony in lessons or in the classes in church, everyone is edified. His mom cannot help but be impressed and interested in the gospel. We will have a lesson with her, David and a good sister in our ward.

Saturday night, as we were returning home on the bus Sorella Willey and I both had separate conversations with two golden contacts. Sorella Willey taught a lesson to a beautiful Romanian woman and set up an appointment later this week.

I talked to a man named Domenico. He, like most of our investigators is an older single man, haha. Sorella Willey says that she has taught a lot more men on her mission than women, so it seems to be a trend. That made me feel more at ease. 

Domenico was not who I expected him to be. He reads the Bible every night and goes to church to worship almost every day. He hosts a Christmas dinner for homeless people every year and seems to be very service oriented. Domenico was so open and friendly, saying all the perfect things to me that I was not sure if he was for real. As I continued to talk to him about Christ, and share with him about the Restoration, Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, he seemed to eat it up. After we got off the bus, he walked for twenty minutes with us and Peter to the church so we could get him a Book of Mormon in Italian. We asked him to read and pray about Alma 32, said goodnight, an hour later he called us and said, "I read all of Alma 32. It was very interesting. What time does your mass start again?" He traveled forty minutes by train early in the morning on Sunday, stayed for all three hours of church and loved it. He is excited to meet with us again. I cannot believe how the Lord placed him in our path. I have never met someone so ready for the gospel before.

One other funny story from Saturday afternoon. While doing finding work a few days ago, we met two great potentials, both of them named Omar, one right after the other. Incredibly ironic. We encountered Omar 1 in a Palazzo, he was very open and willing to meet with us again and while on the way home, I felt prompted to stop another young man, who turned out to be Omar 2. He was very humble and golden as well. Two hours later, while leaving town on the bus with Peter, we asked Peter if he knew the second Omar, because he is African. He said he knew him and that he was a great guy, and right then we saw him on the street waiting for the bus, standing right next to the other Omar. They were both looking different ways, and don't know each other at all. Haha, it was just incredibly ironic and funny how it all worked out. We will pray that they will continue to progress and meet with us.

One thing that I have learned thus far while working with Sorella Willey is how exact exact obedience to the white handbook pays off. We have been meeting so many golden people, and miracles happening multiple times a day. I know that we could not ever have this kind of success alone, without prayer and giving all of ourselves to the work.

I pray for each one of you every night. I am working hard so that God will continually pour out more blessings upon you. Thank you for all your love and support.

Sorella Oakes

12th Letter from Cuneo

Dear Loved Ones,

Where to begin? So much has happened this past week.

The baptism was the most stressful\most beautiful experience of my mission thus far. Even with all of our phone calls and preparation, nothing turned out as planned. Osagie called us half hour before and told us he could not make it. Apparently his train was cancelled, but he did not call us earlier. There was no way he could come unless someone drove to pick him up, and by then, he would not have enough time to make it home to the shelter in Mondovi....long story. Some of the members became heated with each other, debating about picking him up and starting the baptism late. Meanwhile, David was in the chapel waiting with his mom. This was her first time in the church, and David had only told his parents about his baptism (and any relation to the church) three days ago. You can imagine how surprised they must have been!! His dad is Catholic Catholic Catholic, and last that they knew about David's religious beliefs, he had been completely atheist. Therefore, they were shocked! But I think that his mom is a little happy that he is Christian now.

After a half hour of commotion, we trusted in the Lord and decided to continue with David's baptism. There was not very much we could do regarding Osagie at this point. I must admit, I was inwardly really frustrated at the way that some people were acting, and how nothing was going as I had hoped for. I felt like David deserved something more special than this...I prayed for charity and that he and his parents would be able to feel the Spirit.

Once the meeting finally began, a few ward members gave some beautiful talks, Sorella Ryan and I sang the primary baptism song. Everyone walked to the back of the church in a narrow hallway by the coat hangers and bathrooms to the set up font. It was not much, especially compared to the grandeur of a cathedral, but it was simple and beautiful. David beamed, and eagerly started into the pool, followed by Fratello Divitto. Within one minute he was baptized, completely immersed and cleansed from all of his sins.

A little bit later after David and Frtllo Divitto dried off and joined everyone in the chapel, David bore his testimony. I cannot describe in words how strongly I felt the Spirit, how strongly he was filled with the Spirit as he spoke. There is no doubt in my mind that David was one of the most noble followers of Christ in the premortal life. He has chosen to be elect, and Sorella Ryan and I are amazed. He has kept all of his commitments. He has studied the Book of Mormon every day, with real intent. He kneels in prayer every day, and has a deeply personal relationship with his Father in Heaven.

Here is something that he said in his testimony, "Over two months ago, I did not know what to do with my life. I was confused, and somewhat in despair. And then, one day on the way to work, I was sitting on the train and two people asked if they could sit next to me. They told me that day, 'We know that our message is true.' The best thing that they have done for me is encouraging me to read the Book of Mormon, and to gain a testimony for myself. I have done that, and I know it is true. I have never felt so much happiness or purpose in my life. I know God and Jesus Christ live, and that this is the church of Christ." He is a pretty tough guy, but he was extremely emotional during his testimony. He was saying the feelings of his heart, and every other sentence hide his head and cover his mouth trying to hold in his emotions. The whole branch felt the Spirit. He is an incredible strength to our branch!

I read a scripture this morning that perfectly describes my feelings. Alma 26:1-7. Even though I will not convert thousands of souls, or hundreds, or dozens, I feel as if I have. In reality, the Lord has. I am grateful that I have been able to witness David's conversion. Even though it was frustrating that Osagie did not come, or we have not baptized as many people as we had planned, as David was bearing his testimony I felt, "THIS is why. This is why I came here to Cuneo. This is why I came on my mission. It has all been worth it."

Even more, the following day we had Stake Conference in Allessandria, about two hours from Cuneo. David sat two rows in front of us with an amazing couple in our ward. I saw how happy he was, and feel that he will remain strong his whole life. He might serve a mission, he will be married in the temple and raise a family. He told one of the Elders last week, "I guess I know this church is true because I have this strong desire to share the Book of Mormon with my friends and family. That is kind of strange. " He already has a few good referrals for us to teach.

Wow, not enough time to relate it all! Osagie still wants to baptized, but right now we are waiting and praying concerning exactly what to do. It would be great for him to have a strong testimony and relationship with the members when he is baptized. 

To answer a few logistical questions! Christmas day- yay, I am excited for the big phone calls. Mom and Dad, I will let you know next week the times I will call! I am pretty free all day, it our choice. We will be eating with some members, but they would be delighted to have us call in their homes. I will ask if anyone has skype...

I am sad that Sorella Ryan is leaving. It is weird, and it makes me feel a bit trunky/happy that I am at the beginning of my mission at the same time! Wow, the mission is too short. I want my time to last forever. I love her so much, and have learned so much from her. I will tell her that you received her letter- she is a sweetheart.

I found out that my next companion is Sorella Willy! She's coming from Verona, excellent, musical, Utah missionary. I am excited to learn from her. She is a bit more serious, but very sincere and focused on the work. I bet she will have some great new insights to help us out in Cuneo.

Elder Oakes!!!!!!! What a stud muffin! I pray that you will have an incredible experience in the MTC in Brazil. Your experience will be much different than the Provo MTC and I am excited to hear about it!

I have the best family in the whole world. Bunches of amore,

Sorella Oakes

11th Letter from Cuneo

Diletta Famiglia,

MY GOODNESS!!!! There are soo many exciting things ahead of us! WEYLIN GOT HIS VISA AND FLIES OUT NEXT WEEK!!!!!! David AND Osagie are getting baptized this Saturday!!!! It will be a beautiful end to the transfer, and the end of Sorella Ryan's mission. I am sad that we won't be companions anymore...but such is life.

I am grateful that the Lord is over all and He has His own timing. For the past few weeks we have been trying to encourage ward members to fellowship Osagie. After talking about his situation in ward council more thoroughly, there have been three families who have invited him over for meals, and one of our members searched all Sunday night to find a shelter for him to sleep. To a certain extent, all of us know that Osagie needs to work hard for himself, but then again, it is really difficult for Africans to be accepted at certain shelters here in Italy and to find any sort of a permanent job. He tries his hardest, never complains or asks for help and searches all day everyday for work. What can he do? I am soo thankful for our ward members who are true christians, and are empathetic toward him. They are very different from other people you meet on the street, in general.

Their love and kindness toward him has made all the difference. Now that he has a place to sleep at night, he is less stressed and it has been easier for him to concentrate and feel the spirit during our lessons. A few days ago, we invited him to David's baptism. He became very interested and said, "When? Where?" We told him that he could also be baptized that night if he felt ready. He had his intervew last week and he is worthy in every way.

He smiled contentedly and said, "Yes, that would be nice." We felt joy and peace, and we know that now he is emotionally ready, his baptism will be a special experience for him.

To answer a few questions...sorry, I do not answer all of them...Christmas traditions in Italy? It is very similar to America, with presents and Santa Claus (Babbo Natale). They also have a witch named La Befana who flies on a broomstick January 6th and give stockings to everyone. They generally stay up all night Christmas eve, eat a lot of fish. Merry Christmas= Buona natale! Happy New Year= Auguri ! For Christmas day we get to sleep in as much as we want, talk to our families, eat or celebrate at someone's house, and attend midnight Mass. The day before and after are normal working days.

Sorella Ryan and I sang a few weeks ago at a multi-zone conference. We sang My Sheperd Will Supply my need. It was gorgeous!!! We sing a lot. Last night we knocked doors and no one wanted to talk to us, so we decided to try singing Christmas songs. It gave us a few openings and we were able to teach a small lesson. At the very least some people were able to feel peace and taste the Spirit. I do not know what I would do if we did not sing, it sustains us when the obstacles come.

Each morning Sorella Ryan runs to the "edge of the wedge." Cuneo translates to wedge because on the map, it looks like a slice of cheese. Even if we are tired, we keep running until we reach the edge, which overlooks a neighboring city. This has become our battle cry. We "yell", " to the edge of the wedge" which means endure to the end. We want to give it our all, and push the miracle fence a little farther.

I love you all very much, and I am so proud of each one of you. Keep working hard! Go to the edge of the wedge!

Love,

Sorella Oakes