Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam

 

A bright light shined over the Italy Milan Mission as we celebrated not only the 100th birthday of our prophet President Nelson, but the success of 7 returning missionaries, the arrival of 25 new missionaries (new record), and a mission-wide conference to bask in the words of two visiting general officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a very busy week, but we love these opportunities where we get to feed so many, and then be spiritually fed in return.

Tracy Y. Browning, 2nd counselor in the Primary General Presidency started the meeting by referring to the primary song "Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam" and then stating that "Jesus still wants you for a sunbeam. I invite you to joyfully continue to be a sunbeam for Him." She said, "Sharing your light is effectively shining a light on the Savior of the world. And we greatly need to see Him more and see Him clearly. You can help with that. The Savior has invited us to hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do” (3 Nephi 18:24).

Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society General President, shared a powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon and modern miracles. She shed a few tears as she shared a personal full-circle miracle moment standing in the exact church where her son had served just a few years ago as a missionary in the Italy Milan Mission. The miracle continued when Camille shared that at that same time her son was serving here in Italy, she and her husband were Mission Leaders in the Peru Arequipa Mission where President and Sister Wood's daughter was serving. Such a tender mercy!

Invitation:

- Watch a summary of President Nelson's birthday celebration here:

    (https://youtu.be/Pcxb0-aUCmc?si=M4NIl8aUdhdnieoU)

President Wood often says that one way Sorella Wood shows her love is through cooking and baking. I am a witness that there is a lot of love shown and tasted during transfer weeks. Sorella Wood, Sorella Nielson, and Laura make homemade bread for all of the arriving and departing missionary meals. They always create a healthy and beautiful spread of food at the various events and then roll up their sleeves to serve the missionaries one-by-one. Laura was thrilled to find a store that sold pumpkin puree so she could contribute these delicious pumpkin snickerdoodle cookies 🤤.

Sorella Wood loves to welcome visitors with gift baskets celebrating some of the yummy treats from this area. Laura has really gotten good at wrapping them securely so no one tries to sample the treats.

With Laura cooking all week, Steve took on more household responsibilities proving you can teach an old dog new tricks

Laura has been missing the grandkids, but has found some comfort playing the universal language of peek-a-boo with the sweet children in our ward

Steve loves unwinding after a busy week by slowly chipping away at a puzzle of the Italian regions and their corresponding sweets