Well I guess I will start out with the weird, we, the Busto Sorelle, are being closed. This news came as quite a shock to us. Because of some circumstances we knew that the other set of Sorelle in our district were being closed. So to get that phone call on Saturday with
our Zone leader saying "You are being closed" was heart breaking. Both Sorella Roper and I's hearts just sunk. They then told me where I was serving. And it is Rimini, and I will have an Italian comp, so no English for me. It is quite literally so far away from where I am now.
Busto has been quite the city for us. It has been full of really hard at times, it has taught us to count on the tender mercies, and to rely on the Lord. I was definitely not expecting or prepared to leave so soon. We both felt as though the work has just picked up. I am scared
to go to a new part of the country with a companion who does not speak English, and I do not speak Italian. It has made me really reflect on what Thomas S. Monson quite frequently repeats, "Who the Lord calls, He qualifies". I am sure that there are going to be times of
frustration and hardships, but I have been called and I can do it. I will be in a Beautiful place. I am so grateful.
So with all of the new crazy changes needless to say this has been a busy week. It has been a week full of lots of sunshine and heat. And then the later half was all rain, haha. We have walked quite a lot this week. Sorella Roper was asked to give a talk on Sunday because she finishes her mission tomorrow. This gave me some time to read and listen to conference talks.
One that I feel inclined to share is "Faith of Our Father" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (April 2008). If you have not read or listened to it, do it. Even if you did watch April 2008 conference go listen to it again because it has been 8 years. Here is a story that he shares of President Thomas S. Monson: "Some years ago, President Monson came to a regional conference in Hamburg, Germany, and it was my honor to accompany him. President
Monson has a remarkable memory, and we talked about many of the Saints in Germany--I was amazed that he remembered so many so well. President Monson asked about Brother Michael Panitsch, a former stake president and then a patriarch, who had been one of the stalwart pioneers of the Church in Germany. I told him that Brother Panitsch was seriously ill, that he was bedridden and unable to attend our meetings. President Monson asked if we could pay him a visit. I knew that shortly before his trip to Hamburg, President Monson had undergone foot surgery and that he could not walk without pain. I explained that Brother Panitsch lived on the fifth floor of a building with no elevators. We would have to climb the stairs to see him. But President Monson insisted. And so we went. I remember how difficult it was for President Monson to climb those stairs. He could take only a few at a time before
needing to stop and rest. He never uttered a word of complaint, and he would not turn back. Because the building had high ceilings, the stairs seemed to go on forever, but President Monson cheerfully persevered until we arrived at the apartment of Brother Panitsch on
the fifth floor. Once there, we had a wonderful visit. President Monson thanked him for his life of dedicated service and cheered him with a smile. Before we left, he gave him a wonderful priesthood blessing. No one but Brother Panitsch, the immediate family, and
myself ever saw that act of courage and compassion. President Monson could have chosen to rest between our long and frequent meetings. He could have asked to see some of the beautiful sights of Hamburg. I have often thought of how remarkable it was that of all the sights in that city, the one he wanted to see more than any other was a feeble and ailing member of the Church who had faithfully and humbly served the Lord. President Monson came to Hamburg to teach and bless the people of a country, and that is what he did. But at the same time, he focused on the one, name by name. His vision is so broad and far-reaching to grasp the complexities of a worldwide Church, yet he is also so compassionate to focus on the one. When the Apostle Peter spoke of Jesus, who had been his friend and teacher, he offered this simple description: “[He] went about doing good.”I feel the same can
be said of the man we sustain today as the prophet of God." This account helped me this week, I am here to go about doing good. There are so any times when the "five flights of stairs" seem to be going on. Whether it is trying to find a house in the hot hot sun only
to find that they aren't home, or waiting for a bus that never comes, or literally walking up those five flights of stairs which seem to last forever.
There is always good to be done. There are always those that are in need of cheering. So as I am off to Rimini I am off to new adventures, to find those in need and to go about doing good. I hope everyone has a wonderful week,
Sorella Teague
Week 18:
Really in Rimini
Well I am here, in beautiful city of Rimini! But let me tell you getting here, oh boy that was an adventure of it's own. Haha, it started with a pretty sad good bye to my companion, Sorella Roper. We got up Thursday morning and left pretty quickly afterwards. Two members, F and our new convert C, took our luggage to the station. Sorella Roper and I walked to the station. We left like we came (well I came) but this time we were going the opposite direction, on to new
adventures. At the station the Elders met us they helped with our luggage and took our keys. Waiting for our train my stomach was slowly sinking. And then it came, we got on our train and waited. Then two stops later Sorella Roper needed to get off. We said our goodbyes and i continued on to Milano. It was weird being by myself. When i got to Milano i had to manage my bags and it was all so heavy. But I some how
managed. My original train to Bolgonga left early and without me. That wasn't a fun moment. But on the second train to Bolgona, I was just fine. In fact I sat next to a very nice person who helped keep me
company for the really long journey. At the station in Bolgonga I met the STL's along with my new comp. Her name is Sorella Rosano, she is from Milan. We took another long train to Rimini. When we got here, ahhhh it was just great. Minus the no elevator thing
at the station, talk about an arm workout. But this city is just so cool. It's full of life, ocean, and happiness. I love waking up and going outside and smelling sand and sea, it reminds me of where my Granny and Papa live. Plus it looks like there are lots of fun things
to do here for P-day. And in our Proselyting area...... we have San Marino. And i am so "lucky" because once again I am in a bike city, hahah. In Busto we would ride our bikes a little bit here and there, but here we ride our bikes literally every where. I though my legs were going to fall of on Monday we rode them for like 4 or more hours that day. The work here seems to be good, we have been packed busy everyday I
have been here. It has been a little hard with the changes and adjustments, but to me it's all about counting your blessings everyday. Everyday i write one down in my agenda it helps me stay positive and remember that i am not alone! Yesterday I was reading in Mormon 9: 15. The end of the verse really stuck out to me "God has not ceased to be a God of miracles". I fully believe this is true. Miracles happen every day whether big or small, so watch out because one might be coming your way! I am so grateful to be here and can't wait to see what my time here has in store!
Love always..
Sorella Teague
P.s.
I am going to have quite the look going on after summer, with the sun
shining so bright on me. Plus i have the lovely opportunity to wear a
helmet i.e. the bottom of my hair will be so light blonde while the
top just blonde, pictures to follow 😄
