Miracles in Savona

Dear Family, 

Wow, this week has been amazing! We've seen so many miracles! We've been taking the time to visit our less actives and have had some crazy experiences. Last week we visited the son of a lady in the branch. He hasn't attended church for twenty years and doesn't really have a testimony, but we invited him to read the Book of Mormon and pray. It's incredible to see the Spirit touch people's hearts, because at the beginning he didn't really want to have anything to do with the church, and by the end he was willing to give it a try. The last time we talked with his mom she said that he has been reading the Book of Mormon a lot!

We've been going through our Area Book and trying to contact people through that. We found the records for a family that was taught in 2009 and last night we were able to teach them a lesson. They live about 30 minutes away by train, but we really felt the need to visit them. The dad wasn't home, but we taught the mom, two sons, and the girlfriend of the oldest son, Rino. He had almost been baptized before, but for whatever reason, it never happened. As soon as we started teaching the Restoration the Spirit was so strong. I've always struggled a little teaching more than two people at a time, but last night we were blessed to know how to involve all four and really address their needs. As soon as we started Rino's eyes completely lit up. His girlfriend, Cinzia wasn't really interested at first, but when we asked her about her family, she opened up. At the end of the Joseph Smith story, we told them that we have a living prophet today and pulled out a picture of the First Presidency and 12 Apostles. They huddled around that and asked question after question. We only had 2 copies of the Book of Mormon with us, so we gave one to the family and one to Cinzia. She grabbed it and started leafing through. Next week she's bringing her mom. 

We left completely in shock. I don't think I've ever felt the Spirit so strongly in a lesson. It was incredible. I just keep on thinking over and over about the light that came into their faces. It's such a testimony to me of the hand of the Lord in our work. 

It sounds like you've all had amazing weeks! Vi voglio bene!

Sorella Pace

Savona!!

Dear Family, 

Thank you so much for all the letters and support. It sounds like you have had a great week and it's fun to see everyone together again. 

This week has been kind of crazy! We've been pretty busy moving into our apartment and learning about our area. Luckily we have an amazing senior couple, the Hauks, to help us out. They've done an amazing job preparing our new apartment for us and helping us know our branch better. It's been fun working with them and gaining a better perspective on what Grandma and Grandpa's missions were like. 

Our branch is pretty small. It has a few really strong families and lots of inactives. It's hard because the branch covers a huge area of small towns outside of Savona. Lots of people don't have cars so it's hard to get to church. Anziano Hauk was just put in as Branch President this Sunday and we want to really strengthen the branch and reactivate some families. We spent some time the other day going over the member list trying to figure out we should visit. 

We've already seen miracles here. We've been going through the area book and lists of potentials to find people to teach. We set up an appointment with a man named Joseph yesterday at the church. It turns out that he was a referal from a member a year ago, but hadn't been really interested at that time. We taught him the restoration and asked him if there was a time in his life when he had felt the Holy Ghost. He described an experience he had and said he wanted to always have that feeling with him. We both felt prompted to give him a baptism challenge with a date and he accepted!! We're very excited for him. 

I read a scripture this week that I really liked. It's in D&C 123:17 ''Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.'' That is so powerful. When we do our part, we can have complete faith, complete assurance that God will be working with us and will magnify our efforts. I have seen this so much on the mission. There are times when all our efforts seem wasted, but then we reach the miracle fence, and the blessings flow from heaven. 

I love you all! Have a wonderful week!

Love, 

Sorella Pace

We tried to find where Dad lived, and I think this is it!

Sadly, the front of the building was under construction but here's the main doorway leading into the courtyard.

Sorella Hansen (Karen's new companion) and I

Week 6 and a Birthday Surprise

Caro Famiglia,

Grazie for all the wonderful birthday wishes!! It's crazy to think that I'm having my 20th birthday on my mission in Italia. That's something I never planned, but I'm so grateful to be here today. And don't worry, my wonderful sorelle here in Genova are taking great care of me. They woke me up this morning with breakfast in bed - a plate full of crepes and juice!! It was delicious! Last night we had a lesson with a meno-attiva family (less-active) in the ward and they made me a delicious dinner and a wonderful torte. I was even able to blow out a couple candles! As they were singing Tanti Agguri and I looked at those candles I had the strange thought that I should make a wish. It suddenly seemed like a very selfish thing to do, and really all my wishes are for our investigators not myself. Birthdays are strange things.

My biggest birthday present is a new city!! This week is transfers and as we sat down for lunch on Monday, we received a call from Presidente Wolfgramm. I'm going to Savona!! It's nly an hour away from Genova (towards the French border) so I'm in the same zone. We leave tomorrow for Milano to pick up my new companion, Sorella Hansen, and Sorella Heupel's new companion Sorella Eaton. They've been called as a Training Sister Leader (the new sister leadership position announced in General Conference). They'll have their hands full because half of their time will be spent traveling to the different sorelle in the area for blitzes (companion exchanges). It's hard to leave Genova, especially the people here. We've seen so many miracles the past 6 weeks. and I want to be able to see the rest of their stories.

I'm super excited to go to Savona though! Sorella Hansen and I will be whitewashing the city (meaning we're both brand new there). Savona has one branch and one set of proselyting missionaries as well as a senior couple, Elder and Sister Hauk, serving there. The sorelle who were there last transfer had to suddenly leave and go to Milan two weeks ago because the contract for their apartment expired and the new apartment wasn't ready yet. I was talking to the Hauks yesterday on the phone and they're working really hard to have everything ready for us tomorrow. 

As a farewell to Genova, I've had a final foccacia, which comes from Genova. As a birthday present to myself, I'm dragging my companion to Principe (downtown Genova) and looking for Salita San Nicolosio 8B/3, where thirty years ago Anziano Pace lived and said his final goodbyes to Genova and Italia before heading home to the US. I'm only at the start of my mission, but I thought  picture by Dad's old apartment would be fun. Hopefully we can find it.

I can't believe my first transfer in Italia is nearly over. The time has just flown by. I have learned so much about myself, the gospel, and missionary work. I have seen the light of the gospel touch hearts, change lives, and bring joy. I still have a lot to learn, but I'm excited to do so. 

Happy Birthday to Mom, Grandma Pace, Grandpa Okeson, and whoever else has a birthday this week. I love you all!!!!!

Love,

Sorella Pace

Week 5!

Caro Famiglia,

This past Sunday we had a Stake Conference with Elder Donaldson, the area 70, in Alessandria. I didn't understand all of it because it was in Italian, but when Elder Donaldson spoke, it was in English with an interpreter which was a really interesting experience to hear it in both languages. But he spoke about how God knows the end from the beginning. He used the story of Joseph Smith Sr. that he had three crops fail in a row, but because of that their family moved to Palmyra. We had an experience that fits this perfectly. Hopefully I'm be able to explain it well. We found a woman on the street a few weeks ago who was interested and had a friend in our ward. We taught her a lesson a few days later but have been unable to contact her since. But we knew the name of her friend, Gladys, and tried calling her with no response. Last Sunday after Stake Conference we had some time and decided to pass by Gladys house for a quick visit and spiritual message. It turned out to be perfect timing because she and her husband had just arrived home and had planned to leave in a few minutes. We shared our message and partway through Gladys mentioned that her husband wasn't a member, but he had been to the conference that morning and had some sincere questions which we were happy to answer. We have a return appointment for tomorrow. Gladys has set up appointments with the missionaries before, but he was never really interested. The difference this time was that we initiated contact, something the missionaries had never done before, and on a day when he already had questions. It was a testament to me that this is God's work and He's guiding us every step of the way. We didn't know when we contacted that lady on the street that because of her we would show up on the doorstep of a partmember family several weeks later when they needed it, but God did. I think of all the experiences in my life that lead me to where I was here today and am so grateful. Especially for all the times of trial and hardship because with out them, I'm not sure I'd be here today. And I know that this is where I"m supposed to be right now. I gain a witness of that every single day.

I love the gospel with all my heart. I feel so blessed to be able to spend every day sharing this message. Thanks for all the support. Vi voglio tantissimo bene!

Recognize this first photo? Today we spent a couple hours in Cinque Terre! It was crazy to think I had been there almost three years ago and with a completely different perspective. But it was fun to be back. 

Cinque Terre

Me and the Sea

Last week with Sorella Jameson. It was super windy, can you tell?

Last P-day in Genova with Sorella Lemos

Me and Sorella Heupel!