Week 73: Rome Italy Temple Dedication

For those who don't live in Utah and who perhaps don't follow the church news on Instagram; The Rome Temple was dedicated yesterday! That's definitely the most important part of this email, but here are some of the events that led up to that moment this week.

Tuesday/Wednesday : Lot's of packing for Sorella Allen who left me to serve in the beautiful coastal city of Ladispoli. We ate our last gelato together and finished up the transfer strong.

Thursday : I got my new greenie! (After driving luggage to different apartments for 6 hours... S/O to Sorella Decker for trusting me enough to be in charge of the directions. I only took us through the restricted roads 4 times) Anyway, this greenie is the third in a row for me, and I really think President is trying to 1) make sure I keep the fire burning until the end and 2) ensure that I sleep for the entirety of my first month home. My new companion's name is Sorella Deschine, and surprise surprise, she's graduated from OLYMPUS HIGH SCHOOL. Yes, I'm training a fellow titan. In our first hour together, I was trying to figure out if I'd ever met her at anything before, so I asked her what she was involved in in high school. She said sports. And that's exactly why we never met. I'm excited for this next transfer with her though. She has been called as a visitor's center sister for the temple, and likewise, my call has also been switched. Therefore, I'm officially Visitor's Center Sorella Maxfield. This week I'll start a "Visitor's Center Sister 101" course for 6 hours every day and then we'll officially start... wish me luck. My make up/hair routine is about a fourth of the time of most of these sisters, and their "small toiletry bags" are the size of my third suitcase.

Friday : Mission Leadership Conference. Basically we just got to skype all the mission leaders and talk about how we can improve. They made me bear my final testimony as a leader and I almost threw up.

Saturday & Sunday : These were the best days of the week. By far. Perhaps some of the best days of my mission. We first were able to listen to a broadcast for the youth in Italy. We heard from Elder De Feo, Sister De Feo, Elder Ballard (Our current AP is his grandson and he was able to do the translation for the talk. It was the most adorable thing ever) Sorella Nelson, and President Nelson. Here are some of his teachings:
Things President Nelson wants us to know
1. Know the truth and stand for it, even if the truth is not politically popular
2. Know and see yourself as the creator sees you.
3. You will be accountable for your deeds and for your desires
4. Know your true identity. Even when your bodies change and age, KNOW YOUR SPIRIT.
5. Know your purpose. Educate your minds, never stop learning, and apply your knowledge to the blessing of other people.
Things President Nelson wants us to do
1. Prepare for marriage. Prepare to be a wife. Prepare to be a mother.
2. Prepare and pursue your education. Education is a religious responsibility. "The glory of God is intelligence"
3. Feast on the words of the Lord. Don't let a day go by without reading the word of the Lord. If your read the scriptures daily, you will have a spiritual life insurance. Pray over all our affairs. Pray even when it's not formal. "Counsel with the Lord in all they doings and He will direct thee for good"
4. Pay your tithing. It is a way of teaching you to be honest. Make sure your future husband knows how to pay tithing.
5. Honor your parents. Learn from them. Learn from our grandparents."As you treat your parents, you will be treated by your children in the future"

Then on Sunday we were able to attend all three sessions of the dedication of the Rome Temple. I don't want to make this into a novel with all the details, but I want to tell you this: I felt a difference when President Nelson said the words "We dedicate this building as a temple of the Lord". I felt a literal difference. I felt it in the chapel that I was in. I felt it in the streets. I felt it at home. There was something completely different. I know that the temple is truly the house of the Lord, and that now the Italians finally have one of their own. I know that we are here on this earth to participate in the ordinances of the Temple in order to become more like our Heavenly Father. I'm beyond grateful that we were able to watch those sessions of the dedication. I'm so grateful for the chance I've had to serve here at this time. I know that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us. Please pray to Him and express your gratitude for all that He's given you!

"We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth."
I truly believe in that same organization. I know that we have a prophet who is the Lord's mouthpiece, and I know that we have 12 apostles here to guide the church.

I love you all!!

Sorella Maxfield