I Need Thee Every Hour

I have been so happy and overwhelmed with gratitude this week. I can't BELIEVE that Joe has now been through the temple. I am so excited for him. This week, I couldn't stop imagining being in the temple with all of my loved ones. Every one of them. It gives me chills and usually brings tears to my eyes.

I wrote you about my experience with the anti-mormon info in the letter I sent home. But, I wanted to just touch on the fact that the temple is what keeps me constant in the church and pressing forward in faith. I can't imagine going back after having "tasted" of the love and peace that the temple holds. I can't imagine being so close, and not being able to enter. I never thought going through the temple with absolutely eveyone in the family would ever be possible. Not because I didn't believe in our fam, but because it just seems too good to be true. And here we are, preparing to be together, in eternity while still on earth. I am so grateful for the knowledge we have of eternal families, and the motivation it gives us to keep trying. I realize now that I need the temple, and I need my family. I can't do without. 

As I've reflected on my experience in Italy, I've come to realize how different everyone's needs are. Needs are a funny thing. We are always changing, and so our needs change as well. I remember Westley walking around saying, "I need 20 dollars!" So precious, and so innocent. I watch the little kids in church ask their parents to do things for them that they can't do for themselves, like tying shoes, wiping their hands clean, blowing their noses, etc. Then, I watch the other adult members. Their needs in church aren't to have their shoes tied, but to feel the spirit, have their testimonies strengthened, their hearts converted. Then, you look around at everyone on the street, on the bus, in the tram, and realize that their needs differ even more! They need to know that they are a daughter or son of God. They need to feel loved. Maybe, they need a smile. You never know. I m going to miss being a missionary, where we spend a good majority of our time trying to discern the needs of others. I am so grateful for the chance I have to practice this skill. It will only come in handy for the future...I hope. :)

I need the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I need my family. More than anything, I need my Savior. The hymn, "I need thee every hour" has a whole new meaning to me now. I feel so lucky to have felt and seen His grace in action for the past year and 5+ months. And I couldn't be more grateful for the gift of these next three weeks.

By the way, I am staying here. Sorella Beutler is beng sent to FIRENZE for only three weeks. Pray for her!!! My new comp is coming from Como. She is in her seventh transfer. Pray for her too. :)

Love you!!!

Love,

Sorella Beus

Best Early Christmas Gift!

Guess who showed up at church on Sunday?!?!?!??!?!?!

MY VERONA FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was sitting in R.S. and heard some people walking down the hall, and when the door opens, I see 5 familiar faces pop in. All from my Verona days!!!!! Oh man, I was a crying mess. I was tired, sick, and emotional. I was so grateful for them. They took up 1/4 of the sacrament congregation. They probably shouldn't have come, but they did anyway. :) They brought lunch to eat afterwards, and then we took pictures. It was the best early Christmas surprise ever!!!

It was such a sweet experience. I haven't seen our investigator family since the dad got baptized. He was glowing!!! He had a nice suit on, and he kept telling me how wonderful we were to help him, and how we will forever be a part of the family. It was beautiful.

Time is Winding Down - pics of Venice

Dear Family,

Time is winding down. I am stuck when it comes to words. So here it goes.

We had a very special meeting with our ward mission leader this past Sunday. He takes such good care of the missionaries! Anyway, we are serving here with two elders who opened, and one is training the other. They have been a little bit down lately. Our WML is practically a psychiatrist and can read actions as if you were speaking. He ended up telling us missionaries how pricelss our work is. He shared with us his testimony of missionary work, and proceeded to tell us how wonderful we were. It was so beautiful to hear it from someone who we ALL admire so very much. He has such a special spirit. We are beyond lucky to know him and work with him. I hope you get to meet him someday! He comes to the states often and actually stops by Farmington! Cross your fingers. :)

Love you all! This work is true, perfect, and wonderful. 

Love,

Sorella Beus

                               

The Blessing of Another Baptism

This is my street!!! I walk up and down it several times a day!!! The bottom left picture are the people right across the street. If you look at the top picture, on the house to the right of the green arrow thing, you'll see two large patios. Our is the one to the north. Thats where I exercise in the morning! YAY!

I am so very grateful to be a missionary in Mestre. I can't express how neat it feels to be a part of so many different service projects..all at the same time. First, we get to teach the gospel and witness people perform eternal life saving ordinances. Second, we get to teach English, clean houses, talk to people about their lives. And as we all know, when you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are only in the service of our Heavenly Father. Service is one of the biggest aspect of missionary work. I am so grateful that you taught us to love serving! 

We did a fast on Sunday for our investigator who wants so badly to get baptized, but her living conditions don't permit it. As I was praying the night before, I felt like telling Heavenly Father that I have done a whole lot of fasts in my mission, and it would be really really nice to see results while I'm still in Mestre...   whether that was okay to ask for or not, God responded!!! As our investigator walked into church with her little girl, she looked at us and said, "I found a place to live!!! I will get baptized next week like we planned!!" She was GLOWING. She couldn't stop smiling!!! I feel SOOO very lucky to have witnessed her change of heart. There are about 3 previous sisters who have worked with her, and I have to thank them for the wonderful work they did in preparing our sweet sister get ready for baptism. This will change her life and she is so ready for that. She has lightened up in these past few weeks.

This email can't be complete without talking about Zone Conference. Elder and Sister Texiera are THE BEST!!! They have a way of teaching with so much love and passion for the gospel. And, they somehow make you feel like they are speaking directly to your heart and mind. They smile as they teach. They joke and laugh, but in such a reverent manner. I love it. They must have been some very special misson presidents. They taught us new ways to find, and work with progressing investigators. They taught us to be patient with ourselves and focus on making things better, not perfect. They talked a lot about beliefs, and the power of what a belief can do. Elder Texiera said, "If you believe in Christ, then you believe in repentance." How true that is. One thing he pointed out was that if one believes in Christ, then they will be willing to obey him. It is so sad when we talk with someone who says that they believe in Christ, but when we ask them to obey one of his comandments, like keeping the sabbath day holy, they say they don't want to. 

Elder and Sister Texiera

I am so grateful to be a member of the LDS church! I adore learning about Christ, and his life and the miracles he performed. The miracle he has done in my life will forever be a reminder of his love for me. The love I feel from my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ is so evident. I wish I could say that I never forget what it feels like, but sometimes I do. I mean, it's always there, but sometimes I just need a reminder. Through my loved ones, I have often been reminded of heaven's love, and what a blessing that is! I hope that somehow Heavenly Father will let me continue sharing His love for His children...even after the mission. I have felt it, and can't help but share it!

I can't believe it is already November. Yesterday at the conference, the younger missionaries kept reminding me that I only have 6 weeks left. If only they knew how hard it is to hear that. Just when you start getting somewhat of a hang on things, they send you home. But, who says you can't still work your little heart out for the next 6 weeks!! I am SO ready. There is so much good to do. And I feel SO blessed to have these extra days of service!!!

You are all SO loved! Hope you all have a great day!!

Love,

Your Sorella Beus