Week 82: la fine dell'inizio

Well here we are. I had a dream last night that I wasn't a missionary anymore and I woke up in tears ahaha it's gonna be hard to leave! I think if it weren't for my family and friends back at home I'd stay here just a little longer, but hey all good things have to end! And someone once told me that this is just "la fine dell'inizio" -- the end of the beginning! Which is so true, I'm excited to take everything I've learned here on the mission and go home and live it.

My mission was nothing I ever expected but everything I always needed. From opening my call the same day the world shut down, to doing onliceMTC at the cabin in Montana. From riding bikes in the snow in Colorado, to spending Christmas in a barn in Wyoming. From eating too much pesto in Genova to getting blown away in Trieste. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. The Lord proved me and humbled me and taught me and loved me and WALKED with me. And I'm so grateful I got to stick around for an extra 6 weeks because I was able to see so many miracles this last transfer. I am leaving Italy today feeling SO full of gratitude and joy and pizza.

So here are 19 little lessons I learned during the happiest 19 months of my life:

1. no one can slam the door in your face if you have a plate of homemade cookies in your hand

2. "if you do everything out of love you can never go wrong" -sister aiono

3. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

4. If we want to fully know who we are, we must first gain some understanding of who God is.

5. Isaiah 55:8-9. His ways are higher than my ways, His thoughts higher than my thoughts.

6. Kneel down and pray as if everything depends on the Lord, then get up and work as if everything depends on you

7. Missionary work is awkward! Embrace it. There's no growth in the comfort zone. 

8. Shearing a sheep is a lot more fun than butchering one 🤪

9. "True leadership is seeing the greatness in others and then helping them see that greatness in themselves." -Papa

10. It is a sin to add cream to your carbonara 

11. JACOB 5. We are all laboring in the Lord's vineyard. Some plant seeds, others nourish trees and others harvest the fruit. All equally important roles. Everyone has a part to play and the Savior is laboring alongside us.

12. "Growth comes from constantly having to depend on the Lord." - Sorella Browning

13. Faith it till you make it!

14. "Don't learn Italian to open your mouth, open your mouth to learn Italian" -anz valle 

15. "As your understanding of the Savior’s sacrifice, also known as the Atonement of Jesus Christ, grows, your desire to share the gospel will increase."  PMG ch. 1

16. I can run a 5 minute mile when I have a train to catch!!

17. "We are not preparing to recieve revelation, we are living in it!" - Elder Bednar

18. Alma 26:37. God truly loves each one of His children. His bowels of mercy are over all the earth! From the potheads in Colorado to the hicks in Wyoming to the catholic grandmas in Italy. He loves us all the same.

19. "Work your hardest to the very end, you can sleep when you get home!!" - Mom:)

SOPRATUTTO (aboveall), the most precious knowledge I have gained during these months is the reality and divinity of my Savior Jesus Christ. He lived for me & died for me & He lives today. I feel so lucky that He allowed a weak and simple person like me be a part of His perfect work of salvation. I know this is His church restored on the earth today by the young boy and prophet Joseph Smith. I know the Book of Mormon is true and literally proof of God's love for us. I have never been more sure of something in my life. It's all so real. I have felt it, and I wish for everyone to feel it for themselves. So here's my last invite for each of you: Come Unto Christ! Whatever that looks like for you! Take a little step or a grand leap closer to Him and I promise your life will be changed for the better.

I could seriously talk about my mission all day long so if you wanna hear more you'll just have to hang out with me:) also you are all invited to come to my homecoming talk Jan 30th!! 

I can't thank y'all enough for the constant love and support you have shown me! Can't wait to hug you all soon wahoooo

Vi voglio un mondo di bene tutti voi!!

TANTO AMORE,

Sorella Pitt

Also I get into SLC tonight at 9:45! Y'all are invited to come to that as well:)