A week of Consecration

Famiglia Mia! Oh blessed family. How I have longed to be with you this week! This last week was a week dedicated to consecration and we had some very lofty goals. We worked on eliminating the task of the day that are "still good for missiionary work" and focused instead on the tasks that are "the best for missionary work". It was one of the best weeks ever for numbers and for miracles but it was also one of the hardest weeks of my mission.

It got me wondering about why it seems that trials or poopy times always seem to accompany miracles. And while I still don't have my complete answer, I am sure that trials are handpicked for us by the almighty maker. I have often thought that it is not fair that the "really righteous" seem to have the most trials while joe smow who doesnt keep any commandments skips through life whistling. This week made me realize that maybe, trials are given to the righteous, to the already stronger to just make us stronger. To make us more like our Heavenly Father- In one talk i read this week, it mentions that we "arent earning Heaven, we are learning Heaven." I have learned a little bit more about Heaven this week. 

My bike got stolen. Dang. Haha it wasn't even the better bike out of the two but still, someone is riding around on my Lady Mara and it wiped out my bank account. But thanks to the ever trusty Sorella Sarti, I have a new bike. It has been lovingly named, Midge. Why? Because I am pretty sure it is built for a 12 year old. Haha for 60 euro I thought to myself, "i have it for 3 weeks, it doesnt matter to me if my legs are above the handlebars..." So Midge, short for Midget and I are new best friends. 

We did one of my favorite family nights ever at the ward! We chose a few stories from the Book of Mormon, divided the members up and sent them to different rooms where I then delivered the most random household objects I could. Turns out, missionary apartments are not the most stocked but they suffice when it comes to random objects. The three groups performed the story of Nephi and the Plates, Abidandi, Alma and King Noah, and Ammon. Our members definitely stepped up to the plate and I giggled through the whole thing. However, our cute little investigator, who we had taught the 10 comandments the night before (thou shalt not kill) was super concerned that Nephi was commanded to kill Laban. Haha ooops. Just keep reading :) it was a huge success and so fun! 

I am also learning a lot about charity and service. I am learning that Love really is a totally outward expression. Love is never focused inward. Bear with me folks, I am about to get sentimental. When I think about the people i have loved and the relationships i have had, it is fair to say that I love them for who they are. I love or loved them, despite their weaknesses, because I knew and loved their potential. This is the type of relationship and speriamo un giorno the marriage that i want. I want to focus my life on loving others and not being loved. I want to always remember the example of the Savior who always loved outward and never look inward. Well family, I love you lots and pray for you even more. I am so proud to be an Alley and to wear a tag with the name of the Savior everyday. I am working hard to make you proud and laughing along the way. Vi amo tutti! 

Sorella Alley

Pictures from Zone Leader Training on August 1st

Editor's note: Sorella Alley often talks about the "gans" in Pisa (the Young Single Adults), whom she absolutely adores. Here are a few pictures from their many escapades!