This last week was pretty crazy. My teacher, Fratello Silva has told us several stories where he has lost things (i.e. wallet, study journal . . . ) and that he prayed to have them returned to him. One example he gave was when he lost his study journal here in the MTC after his mission. He knew he had accidentally left it on a shelf in the bathroom and when he went back to get it, it was gone. I don't remember how long it was until he found them, but he spent that time praying and having his district at the time pray that he would find it. One day while he was at his parents home, he had an impression to check in a random electrical cabinet he had never opened before. That was where he found his journal. I've begun to realize how many spiritual gifts and Christ-like attributes I wish I had but I've also realized that you can't just ask for them and receive them, you have to strengthen them and grow through adversity and trials of faith. So, being the crazy person I am, I've spent the last two weeks praying for those. Yeah, that's right, I've been asking for things to go wrong haha. So Friday night I was studying in one of the computer labs with my companion and I turned to her saying how much I loved my scriptures and I didn't know what I would do without them. I've marked them up so much and have written so many personal experiences in them that I'd die if I lost them. The next morning when we returned to class I couldn't find them anywhere. I was positive I left them in our classroom, but just in case my companion searched everywhere for over an hour. We even checked in the computer lab we'd been in the night before and all of the ones in that hallway. We didn't find them. But then I realized this was all my own fault, I asked for something to happen and it did lol. But despite that I was getting really impatient, I really wanted them back. My district was all really nice about it and they all said they'd pray that I would find them and I fasted for that on Sunday. Last night when we got back from a teaching evaluation we all went into the lobby near our classroom to do some last minute studying before planning and two of the Anziani went into one of the computer labs to do this weeks assessments. About 30 seconds they ran back out really excited with my scriptures in their hands. I'm such a baby, I almost started to cry when they said they were just laying open in front of one of the keyboards. The crazy thing is, they weren't even in the computer lab my companion and I had been studying in, but the one next to it. Finding my scriptures may seem kind of insignificant, but it was important to me and Heavenly Father knew that. So he brought them back :)
Yesterday was the last time we will be teaching the lessons in English. This is put a lot of things in perspective for my companion, as well as most of our district. We don't practice speaking the language as much as we should. I know the grammar rules but I need to use them. Because of this, my companion and I have chosen to speak Italian 100% of the time (minus speaking to other missionaries or people who don't speak our language). I know that the Lord has promised His missionaries the Gift of Tongues if we are willing to put forth the work and effort to learn. I know that if my companion and I make a sincere effort this week, as well as the rest of our mission, He will give that promised blessing.
Last Tuesday, Sister Julie B. Beck spoke at our Tuesday Devotional. She gave a very nice talk about missionary work and how much she loves the MTC. She says we often don't realize the power we have been given because we are out of the world in the special place. But she assured us that she was overwhelmed by the light of Christ we all had. She is such a special woman and a wonderful example to all of us! I love this work. I have always had such a hard time with public speaking and putting myself out of my comfort zone. But the last two weeks my teachers have emphasized that fear is not of our Heavenly Father. I have been told that my entire life but I don't think I've really understood it. In fact, one of our teachers always tells us "We may believe IN Christ, but we often don't believe Christ." This is true, especially for me. He has not called me to Italy to fail. I am going to this wonderful country at this time and place because there are people waiting for me to come and teach them. They are about to receive a temple that needs to be filled when it is complete. I have the priviledge to be a part of this work. Yes, missionary work is uncomfortable, awkward, and even scary, but I truly have nothing to be afraid of. I have the Lord on my side and if I give ALL of myself over to Him, I cannot doubt, I cannot fear. If I ever feel any of those things I have not truly given myself over to the Lord. "The Lord can do more with your life than you can, so why not let Him?" I am beginning to understand just how true these words are.
I love each and everyone of you and I can't wait to share this wonderful restored gospel with everyone, everywhere.
Ci Vediamo!
Sorella LeCates
