** 7/30/14 **

The longest email I think I have ever written

So I already had to say goodbye to a new convert yesterday, Alessandro. (man in photo in the museum...a.k.a his house.) He is going on vacanza in SANREMO. The holy land! He loves that place so we always had that in common. It was so sad. Then 2 other new converts found out I was leaving and were so sad. What the heck I still have time! 

Last night Fiona made me ball. She kept saying how grateful she was that we came over and how we are a blessing to her from God and how sad she will be that I won't be around anymore. Then I said I still have a week and a half and she said "that's nothing." haha. But anyways it was a very sweet tender mercy all the kind things people said to me yesterday. I really felt the spirit. Which was my goal as I close the mission, to really focus on enjoying being around the spirit so strongly all the time and not be immune to it. The Lord instantly blessed me as soon as I prayed for that. 

I know I came here just to meet these new converts and members. They have all taught me a lot of life lessons to take with me as I go. I still am in denial and don't feel like I am leaving. I just feel like it's another transfer.

And I am so jealous seeing everything that is happening in my old cities with my old lovies...ahhh covet. I just want to be back there with all of them!

But hey, MIRACLES. Some of my Navigli filipini are going to duomo today to say goodbye to me!!! and then for transfer circles some of my Torino young women are taking a 2 hour train down just to say goodbye! I LOVE THESE PEOPLE. 

We have been trying to do alot more service lately, this is the first city where I feel like I have been able to! Alot of dishes have been done, and we helped fix up and paint a newlywed's new home on Saturday. So many spiders! Sorella Carter is a champ and saved my life a few times. Imagine little Carter with a big broom and me with a giant bottle of bug killer. There are so many spiders in this area of Italy! Big suckers too. 

Let's see. Got to hang out with the Rodriguez family, photo with the food.

Ate lunch on Sunday with the Ruiz Diaz fam,













then we played ninja! It was so funny, even the parents played!! 

Last pday us, Sorella Condie and McCann went around Pavia on the hunt for McCann's dream shoes. It was alot of fun being with them. 

Funny Story: We are eating at Diablo's...a western burger joint in Pavia! They play country music! Sorella McCann and I are chatting as our compies went to the bathroom, she was telling me her realization that morning of how much time we really had left. She leaned in, all serious like, and broke down how we had one more pday, another=home. By that point Condie had returned, when Slla McCann said that, it hit me. and I made weird stuttering noises and then my eyes started to water. Then McCann's did too. Then we were in this weird moment of laughing, crying and staring at each other in shock hahaha. Condie was like "Don't look at each other!!" and blocked our faces with napkins haha. It was like a menopause moment...super funny. 

So as you can see, I am trying to be more detailed because I know I am not usually...seeing as how there is only one more email left after this..here's the goods. 

Everyone needs to watch the church short film called 'Mountain of the Lord.' It was so good! 

In conclusion...exactly how I feel from my fav chapter of the Book of Mormon...

And now behold I say unto you, has there been so great love in all the land? Behold, I say unto you, Nay, there has not, even among the Nephites. Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

Thanks to the wonderful people Heavenly Father has put in my life, I know He exists, I know who I am. I know His character and the potential of all of His children. I love the Book of Mormon. Ammon is a boss. This year and a half has been the most beautiful, meaningful, life-changing experience. It was one of the best gifts the Lord has given me, behind the Atonement. I could never describe my appreciation and love. 

And there you have it folks. 

Thanks for always reading/skimming/looking at my photos. I am looking forward to seeing you. :) 

Sempre,

Sorella Gillette