{Survived}
14 years ago
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The real work has begun!
11 March 2009
Will and I have been extremely busy the last few days. It is transfer time in the mission (this happens every 6 weeks) and we are in charge of seeing that all the missionaries get moved around where they should be. That process is bigger than usual this time as 8 missionaries are returning home after completing their missions and 18 new missionaries are arriving on Thursday. Many of the ones going home have been in leadership positions. Also, each of the 18 kids (new missionaries) must be assigned a trainer. Of course, the assignments are all made by President Acerson. However, just because of the sheer numbers, the movement in the mission has been busier than usual. We have learned how to prepare trunk sheets, buy boat tickets to get missionaries off the island of Saradegna, assign new cell phones, and coordinate bus and train schedules. It is challenging, but we are learning - quickly, I might add.
Tonight we were privileged to attend a wonderful Italian dinner at President and Sister Acerson's house. The mission home is large enough to handle all these missionaries, and Sister Acerson is a wonderful cook. I have never tasted better lasagna in my life - made from fresh pasta. We ate a yummy dessert named Tira masu and she said she would share the recipe. Tonight was for the returning home missionaries and the office staff and assistants.
Afterwards, two of the missionaries sang "I Am A Child of God" in Italian, with gusto and harmony. It was beautiful. Elder Auna, a missionary returning to Hawaii, accompanied them on his ukulele. Then Elder Auna and Elder McKee sang a song they composed while serving together about the gospel. Both were good singers and the song was a wonder. All 8 missionaries sang the mission song - which is a delight to hear. We were then excused to go home and they were going to have a testimony meeting together. What fine young men and one sister.
Our goal is to work on our Italian once again. But, this transfer was of highest priority right now of course.
A thought was shared at our DDM meeting a week ago. It was a simple thought about doing missionary work. Open your mouth! Don't be ashamed to open your mouth and share the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Love, Karen and Will
Will and I have been extremely busy the last few days. It is transfer time in the mission (this happens every 6 weeks) and we are in charge of seeing that all the missionaries get moved around where they should be. That process is bigger than usual this time as 8 missionaries are returning home after completing their missions and 18 new missionaries are arriving on Thursday. Many of the ones going home have been in leadership positions. Also, each of the 18 kids (new missionaries) must be assigned a trainer. Of course, the assignments are all made by President Acerson. However, just because of the sheer numbers, the movement in the mission has been busier than usual. We have learned how to prepare trunk sheets, buy boat tickets to get missionaries off the island of Saradegna, assign new cell phones, and coordinate bus and train schedules. It is challenging, but we are learning - quickly, I might add.
Tonight we were privileged to attend a wonderful Italian dinner at President and Sister Acerson's house. The mission home is large enough to handle all these missionaries, and Sister Acerson is a wonderful cook. I have never tasted better lasagna in my life - made from fresh pasta. We ate a yummy dessert named Tira masu and she said she would share the recipe. Tonight was for the returning home missionaries and the office staff and assistants.
Afterwards, two of the missionaries sang "I Am A Child of God" in Italian, with gusto and harmony. It was beautiful. Elder Auna, a missionary returning to Hawaii, accompanied them on his ukulele. Then Elder Auna and Elder McKee sang a song they composed while serving together about the gospel. Both were good singers and the song was a wonder. All 8 missionaries sang the mission song - which is a delight to hear. We were then excused to go home and they were going to have a testimony meeting together. What fine young men and one sister.
Our goal is to work on our Italian once again. But, this transfer was of highest priority right now of course.
A thought was shared at our DDM meeting a week ago. It was a simple thought about doing missionary work. Open your mouth! Don't be ashamed to open your mouth and share the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Love, Karen and Will
Saturday, February 28, 2009
On Tuesday we received a spiritual feast as Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of 12 Apostles was visiting our mission. He was on an 11-day swing through Italy, Romania, Frankfurt, and the Netherlands. Part of the reason for the Rome stop was to talk to government officials about the building of the announced temple in Rome. He said the meetings went very well. But he also asked the church membership here to pray in every prayer that the hearts of government officials would be softened so this work could proceed forward. He was anxious to have a stop in Romania as he has a grandson serving a mission there.
We were able to enjoy Elder Oaks great presence for a missionary meeting in the afternoon, and then for a fireside in the evening for members and investigators. If the elders and sisters had an investigator, they were invited to stay. As office missionaries, we were also asked to stay. About 20 minutes before the hour when the afternoon meeting was to begin, Elder Oaks came into the chapel and President Acerson (our mission president) announced that Elder Oaks wanted to shake every missionary's hand. He specifically asked the 4 couples to go through the line at the end. Elder Oaks was not at all rushed. He spoke to every one individually. He has such a cute grin and winning smile, we all loved him.
(A fun little aside: after shaking everyone's hand, he used hand sanitizer. "This is how we stay well," he laughed, and then added, "What an opportunity to be in your presence today.")
Sister Oaks was with him and what a special lady she is. She served a mission in Japan and was there when the Tokyo Temple was dedicated. She said that when the temple was dedicated there, people changed and were ready to hear the gospel. This is about to happen in Italy, she said.
She spoke to the singles for a minute and told them not to give up. "I married Elder Oaks when I was in my 50's," she said. When Elder Oaks spoke afterwards, he elaborated. "I am almost 77 years old. Single is temporary. I was married for many years. I was single for 2 years. I have been married now for 8 1/2 years. I've tried single. I've tried married. Married is better."
As you can imagine, his message to the members was about the temple. First he spoke about tithng. He said his mother raised 3 children, and he was the oldest. When he was 10 years ld, he saw his mother paying tithing as she did every month, and knowing that they were very poor, he asked, "Why do you give all that money to the Bishop?" Her answer: "When people are rich they don't need to pay tithing. We need to pay tithing because we are poor. The Lord has promised to bless us and we need His blessings."
Then he asked the members, "Who do you think are going to be workers in the Temple when it is built in Italy? Do you think the Lord will send angels? No, he will call Italians!"
Elder Oaks talked about what happens in the temple. There are three things: 1. teachings - we receive knowledge, 2. covenants - they tell us what to do with the knowledge, and 3. promised blessings. You need to prepare yourself for those blessings.
This was where Elder Oaks asked us all to pray daily that the hearts of the government officials would be softened. Pray for the temple! This will frustrate the devil who opposes us. Do not criticize other religions. Elder Faust was a great mentor for Elder Oaks. Elder Faust would say, "Let's bring spiritual power to this solution."
At the end of his talk, Elder Oaks blessed us to remember the teachings of that meeting and left his apostolic blessing with us.
We were able to enjoy Elder Oaks great presence for a missionary meeting in the afternoon, and then for a fireside in the evening for members and investigators. If the elders and sisters had an investigator, they were invited to stay. As office missionaries, we were also asked to stay. About 20 minutes before the hour when the afternoon meeting was to begin, Elder Oaks came into the chapel and President Acerson (our mission president) announced that Elder Oaks wanted to shake every missionary's hand. He specifically asked the 4 couples to go through the line at the end. Elder Oaks was not at all rushed. He spoke to every one individually. He has such a cute grin and winning smile, we all loved him.
(A fun little aside: after shaking everyone's hand, he used hand sanitizer. "This is how we stay well," he laughed, and then added, "What an opportunity to be in your presence today.")
Sister Oaks was with him and what a special lady she is. She served a mission in Japan and was there when the Tokyo Temple was dedicated. She said that when the temple was dedicated there, people changed and were ready to hear the gospel. This is about to happen in Italy, she said.
She spoke to the singles for a minute and told them not to give up. "I married Elder Oaks when I was in my 50's," she said. When Elder Oaks spoke afterwards, he elaborated. "I am almost 77 years old. Single is temporary. I was married for many years. I was single for 2 years. I have been married now for 8 1/2 years. I've tried single. I've tried married. Married is better."
As you can imagine, his message to the members was about the temple. First he spoke about tithng. He said his mother raised 3 children, and he was the oldest. When he was 10 years ld, he saw his mother paying tithing as she did every month, and knowing that they were very poor, he asked, "Why do you give all that money to the Bishop?" Her answer: "When people are rich they don't need to pay tithing. We need to pay tithing because we are poor. The Lord has promised to bless us and we need His blessings."
Then he asked the members, "Who do you think are going to be workers in the Temple when it is built in Italy? Do you think the Lord will send angels? No, he will call Italians!"
Elder Oaks talked about what happens in the temple. There are three things: 1. teachings - we receive knowledge, 2. covenants - they tell us what to do with the knowledge, and 3. promised blessings. You need to prepare yourself for those blessings.
This was where Elder Oaks asked us all to pray daily that the hearts of the government officials would be softened. Pray for the temple! This will frustrate the devil who opposes us. Do not criticize other religions. Elder Faust was a great mentor for Elder Oaks. Elder Faust would say, "Let's bring spiritual power to this solution."
At the end of his talk, Elder Oaks blessed us to remember the teachings of that meeting and left his apostolic blessing with us.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Will eating gelato!
Preparation Day is not for washing clothes - since our washing machine doesn't work anyway, and it is not for grocery shopping - we did that last night. It is not for cleaning house - although I did sweep through it this morning, and it is not for staying home. Preparation day IS for sightseeing! We have been to downtown Rome again today and walked and walked once again.
Our day trip took us to Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, more churches, and Piazza Navona where there are 3 fountains in one square. You thought there was an LDS Church on every corner in SLC, there is a church on every street in Rome and every one is tall, many with a dome, extremely high ceilings inside, VERY ornate, and cold. Marble is not a warm, fuzzy medium. However, it was warmer outside - not nice and warm but warmer, with no wind, and avery enjoyable day. Oh, yes, we also ate gelato! So Delicious! Much better than any I have eaten before.
Trevi Fountain was much different than I had imagined. It is a huge fountain that is actually the side of a building. Other buildings crowd around it on every side. That is also typical of the Pantheon and many of the other sights.
The Pantheon was originally classified as a temple and is dedicated to al the gods of pagan Rome. In the dome is an extremely large hole that is open to the outside. The outside of the Pantheon has numerous columns in the front.
The Piazza Navona is a large open square, which seemed very different because of the large open space. In the middle of the square are 3 fountains, each with a different theme.
It has been an interesting day!
Love, Sorelle and Anziano Sommerfeldt
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Roman Forum
I'm not getting fatter - really! I have about 12 layers of clothing on to keep warm. But the area is so great!
Rome, Italy
Okay, this is the real Italy. We have been in Rome for 4 days now and have been trying to get our apartment set up so we are not freezing, and the landlord is installing a shower for us this week. But since we do not want to murmur, we will share the fun new cultural things we are learning about.
Today, Sunday, February 15, 2009, the bishopric member introduced us in church and we were asked to speak briefly. The ward is well attended and the chapel was full. I know the church is true in Italy, since they have Relief Society and Priesthood first just as they do in Cardston, Alberta. Each organization is up and running. We wore ear-phones in the meetings so we could understand a missionary who was translating for some of us. Most of the members speak Italian and almost no English. A wonderful sister who served her mission here and is now working here teaching English to a rich family's kids, was our interpreter.
This afternoon we ate dinner at another mission couple's apartment and got to know 3 assistants to the president. Outstanding missionaries! It has been a very rewarding day.
Check out pictures of some of the famous spots in the center of Rome that we saw yesterday on our Preparation day.
Ciao, Anziano and Sorelle Sommerfeldt
MTC
Must stand for Mighty Trainers for Christ
What an awesome week! Let me share some highlights.
Tuesday, day 2:
Today we prepared to teach a discussion to an investigator. Our investigator was Mr. Wright, a little gray-haired man of 85 years. He told us immediately that he had lost his wife 2 years ago. She had always been a church member and had raised their 5 children in the church. Now that she was gone, he really missed her. Her bishop was encouraging Mr. Wright to come to the MTC and take the lessons so he could learn more about the church so he could be with her again someday.
Our hearts went out to him and we taught and testified with all our hearts. Mr. Wright was so sincere, so dressed the part of an elderly lonely investigator, right down to the food stains on his green golf shirt, so meek, I bought the entire story. We taught the first lesson about the Restoration and encouraged him to prayerfully consider it. We testified to the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the end, "Mr. Wright" asked if he could say the closing prayer. It was all a set-up. He offered a beautiful prayer in our behalf, told us he had been an ordained temple worker for 20 years, and gave us hugs, wishing us well on our mission.
We returned to our evaluation meeting and told the group that a certain Mr. Wright should receive an academy award for his acting skills. The next day, Mr. Wright showed up at our teaching station to say hi and share another hug. Two days later, after teaching a "recent convert", one of the couples in our group commented that Brother Wright really should receive an academy award for his acting skills. They too had been douped by him.
Our weekly devotional on Tuesday night was a spiritual high for the week. Just singing "Called to Serve" with 2200 other missionaries was a hugh rush. Elder Clate W. Mask of the 2nd Quorum of Seventy was the speaker. Both his message and his presentation were amazing and so filled with the spirit.
Brother Ed Pinegar was our guest speaker Thursday afternoon.
Park of his message was: Number them - Name them - Nurture them!
Having the spirit is the key. The spirit is the 1st teacher, Love is the 1st commandment, and Obedience is the 1st law of heaven. Brother Pinegar used his scriptures like they were his best friend. At one point, he licked his scriptures (at least it looked like he was going to), and then said, "They are so yummy! I just can't get enough of them." The way he used them, we totally believed him.
Three slogans used by businesses currently that apply to us in missionary work:
1. You can do it, we can help.
2. Let's build something together.
3. If we don't have it, you don't need it!
*and finally, You've made the decision to serve, now get your money's worth!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Our "mission farewell" (i.e. talks in church) was Sunday, January 25th. Afterwards we enjoyed a meal of homemade soups and sandwiches at the house. Family and friends were welcome. The house was bouncing with kids and adults.
One of the soups was made by Patti Ballantyne and was a real favorite. Many of you wanted the recipe and here it is:
Chicken Tortilla Soup
4 chicken breasts - boil chicken and shred
1 med. onion - diced
1 med. green pepper - diced
Saute together in 1/2 stick of butter
Combine:
1 1/2 t. cumin
1 1/2 t. garlic powder
2 t. chili powder
1 sm. bag frozen white corn
1 can kidney beans - drained
2 cans chicken broth
1 can rotelle tomatoes (mild) (w/diced chilis)
1 sm. can tomato sauce
1/2 lb. velvetta cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 lime
sauteed onion and green pepper
Heat together until cheese melts
Add chicken and heat together
Some of you have also been asking for my slush recipe:
Slush
4 pkg strawberry koolaid
4 pkg orange or raspberry koolaid
8 c sugar
1 48 oz pineapple juice
6 bananas
1 pkg frozen strawberries
4 qts water
Blend together and freeze in ice-cube trays.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
