I had the most interesting experience this past week. A member was closing a lesson with a prayer, and I had this weird mental flash-forward to the moment when I will get released. It was so bizarre. I like watched myself get released, and have to take my tag off. Goodness, it was so hard to watch. It made me so emotional as I imagined this experience one day ending. Yes, I still have a little under 6 months-- but it's flying. I just hope y'all know, that I love being Sorella Baer. Yeah, I guess being Kelsey Baer is pretty aight, but being Sorella Baer is soooooo much more rewarding.
Ad esempio, yesterday we had a giant dirigenza (leadership) meeting with other ZL's, STL's and DL's. there are only 6 companionships of STL's and we have to travel all over Italy! actually, I'll get to do 3 exchanges each transfer in Bergamo-- shout out to Dev and his favorite city! Our mission has grown immensely with 243 missionaries. it's outta control. I got to see my homegirl Sorella McCann. World's best. I was so rejuvenated talking about what it means to lead; cioè to serve. All we do here is serve, serve, serve. We watched this video about Christlike attributes and two that stuck out to me were: submissive and servant. In these days, the only type of energy I attain is from the grace of Jesus Christ. He empowers me, and all I can do is submit to His will and serve Him. I'm 110% at His service, and I love it. Other missionaries can attest to this: but one of the sweetest experiences we have is that we never need to think of ourselves. Our entire mentality is about others. I love it, it's so special.
The Lord is blessing me immensely. These past weeks have been kind of tough. Because physically, I'm starting to feel of the burdens and trials I've had to overcome in the past months. I was having such a hard time resting and sleeping at night. Satan had been exerting all forces to discourage and distract me. Mercy, it was tough. I remember telling my companion, ''I hate to say this, ma mi sento molto debole.'' which I means, ''I feel really weak.'' I then received the strongest impression to ask for a blessing. Which is hard for me to do, seeing as I've only done it one other time in the mission .I decided to ask Anziano Lovett, our Zone Leader, after the conference yesterday. As soon as his and his companions' hands were on my head, I felt relief. I felt lighter. Literally, physically, lighter. He promised me some remarkably sweet blessings and I can bear witness, as I always have, of the reality of Priesthood power. That turns boys into men, where they can use their hands, to fulfill His work. It was a really special experience.
On to other thingssss, I have an Italian companion. And I adore her. Yes, obvs culturale differences exist. But I only love her more for it. She teaches me so much (not just about the lingua) and we love our little Pavia. She makes me laugh all the days and it's wondrous! I took to the amazing place with Siciliano food, because she's proprio Siciliana, and so I needed to see if it was as buono as I thought it was. Yup, she approved:)
We are working hard with less-actives, and we actually had one come to the church for the first in 15 years! it was incredible to see how excited the ward was to have her back.
We're teaching lots of people, and are sempre in giro. AMO ITALIA! We're hoping to find more investigators, who can progress and have proprio un desidero d'avvicinarsi al Signore.
I'm so sorry. I don't even know how to speak english anymore. I'm ruined. especially with an italian companion! who knows what I say these days!
comunque. This work is so divine. I feel inexplicably privileged to bear His name, and do exactly what He would do if He were here. I love when others on the street recognize as ''different... with a light''. It strengthens me and reminds me that we truly are in this world, not of the world! we are called to serve, and set apart! how blessed we are! how great is our calling!
fate i bravi! go and hug my fam. make good choices. cheer on BYU with all of their sports (#
con tutto del mio amore,
Sorella Baer
p.s. I love you.
p.p.s. I'm CONVINCED that Italy has the best food and prettiest language.
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