But yes, we received a few more phone calls that night from him, just to make sure we were still okay. But back onto our appointment with Indra. She is SO funny. First thing she tells us is that she got scolded by a nun for coming to church with us the previous week. She works at a convent and the nun told her that she needed to go to confession for not going to mass. But Indra told us she did not think she needed to go to confession because we believe in Jesus and so does she. We then spent the next 45 minutes trying to convey to her what makes the church special and how it differs from others. I am not sure how much she was understanding so finally I just told her how much we love her and that we could feel the great love Heavenly Father has for her as well and that we would love to see her in church on Sunday. She just got this big smile on her face and I know she felt the spirit. I know that her comprehension may not be that great, but I also know that she has felt the difference being with us and I hope that she sincerely goes to the Lord for the truth and reads The Book of Mormon we gave her. That will do far more good than we ever could.
After that we had to run through Termini to the WAY back where they have the trainino station that takes us further east away from Centro into Roma 3 boundaries. Miraculously we made it on time to English course and we got started. Needless to say, it was an interesting experience. In Roma 2 English course we have 3 different classes - beginner, intermediate, and advanced. That was not conceivable in this situation so we then endeavored to teach a room full of people English when most of them hardly speak a word of it. It was quite the learning experience, but we did have the help of Jonathan, the ward mission leader for Roma 3. He served his mission in France so has learned quite a bit of English from his companions and he was able to convey questions that we did not understand and vice versa. By the end we had gotten the swing of things and were much more comfortable. Plus many people understood that neither Sorella Salyer or myself could speak Italian having been in Italy only 5 weeks so they were more helpful than not. The end spiritual thought was probably my favorite though. We decided to share the Joseph Smith story (in Italian of course) and it was just like the TRC. She would talk until she was done or could not think of what to say and look at me and I would continue. Oh, good times! Luckily the assistants, Anziano Hatch and Anziano Sapio, came and picked us up after class because we never would have been able to get back home on time.
I was hopeful the rest of the week that Sorella Pickett would begin to feel better, but alas, she did not. I spent Friday, Saturday, and most of Sunday in the house because she continued to barely be able to move, with a fever and then an earache. Saturday around noon we got our transfer call, well I did because Sorella Pickett was passed out again. And the big news is . . . I am staying in ROMA 2! Sorella Pickett and I will be together again for another six weeks :) And luckily we made it out on Sunday because a less active member, Susan with the little boy (Emanuele whom I LOVE) called and said she would be coming to church when she has not gone since August! We were so excited that we chose to go to the last hour of church, Riunione Sacramentale. I am pretty sure Sorella Pickett was about to die by the time we left, but the Assistants came and picked us up for church and we got a ride home from the Crawfords (a senior office couple who are WONDERFUL). We had lunch at their house with all the Anziani in our area and Roma 3. Sorella Pickett ended up passing out on their couch for the next two hours and then slept almost the rest of the night. Unfortunately we have come to the conclusion that she had no business being at church Sunday because he fever got even higher and we called Sorella Kelly Monday morning who then called our mission doctor in Germany. By Monday night we got some antibiotics in her (which made her nauseous) and by Tuesday she was feeling much better. We were even able to go to an appointment at a members house yesterday afternoon at 4:30. We went home after and let her rest more, but we are up and out of the house again today, but taking it slow. We will probably only go to the supermercato and get some much needed groceries.
We have been sad that it was this last week that Sorella Pickett got sick though because 3 of our investigators are moving out of the country and two leave this week . . . Martina Aquaro left today to go back to Paris, but she attends the ward there and we got her address and will send it to the church office so that they will send the referral to the missionaries in Paris. Diana, the young 15 year old girl we taught at the Fiorellis is also leaving this week to Buenos Aires on Friday for school. We were disappointed about that because we have only been able to teach her once and she has been to church 3 consecutive weeks and loves it! All of the girls in the ward have really been fellowshipping her and she fits in perfectly. She is absolutely golden and so is her Mom. Hopefully we can have another lesson with them tomorrow . . . we are crossing our fingers, but if not we can still teach her mom and Sorella Fiorellis other friend who is interested in the church as well. Another investigator, Carolina (15 years old also), is leaving to go to school in Guayaquil here in a week or two. She really loves the gospel as well and has a true desire to learn, but we are afraid she will have a hard time receiving the lessons in Ecuador because she will be living with her Grandmother who is strictly catholic. We will pray for the best though and hopefully still teach her Mom, Alessandra.
Sorry this letter is quite as exciting as the ones in the past. But we have both been little hermits in our apartment. But the weather has been absolutely beautiful because spring is here and I cannot get enough of it! And I got lots of things done the last couple of days so it was not a waste. It never hurts to have your own spiritual recharge every now and again. The language is still coming along better and better. It is funny how much more the Lord is willing to help you when you put forth the effort. I have tried to be much more diligent in my language study and my reading, pronunciation, and comprehension have noticeably increased just in the last week! The Lord is here by our side every second of everyday ready to boost us up. We are NOT here to fail if we trust in Him. I love this gospel, it changes lives and continues to change mine every day. I love you all and thank you for the support and bringing me closer to my Heavenly Father!
Vi Amo! MUAH!
Sorella LeCates
