It's the end of the world as she knows it..

Connor used to sing that a lot around me, and that's how i feel now. It

feels like literally starting a new world. I was born in the little ocean
side town of Sanremo, and have lived literally what feels like a life.. and
i find my death in Pavia.
I can't say that i am super happy to leave.. but i wouldn't be super happy
to stay either. I know it's time. It's just scary... like just another
inner battle that i just can't win with either option. I am grateful to
Heavenly Father that this was His plan for me. I love this mission. I love
Italy.. everything about it. Their culture, and over dramticness with quasi
everything. I just love them.. So this past week literally everyone and
their dog has wanted to see us... And that means food.. More food then i
have eaten in a very long time.. Like, lunch, and dinner that both are the
size of a christmas dinner. My stomache walls were in literal pain from how
much food i had to pound down.. We even had a dinner that was completely
themed around ricotta. Lots of laughs, not many tears (on my part.. i have
this inablity to cry when it's sociably correct..They probably think i am
heartless), and too many goodbyes.. acutally we call them arrivederci's. IM
COMING BACK.
Today we have appts all day, so no pday but i just want to see everyoneeee!
All i can say is that i will never be able to thank Heavenly Father enough
for this year and a half that He has given to me. I have learned so much.
Sopratutto, that this is the church of Christ and that the only way to
live, to really live is by living the gospel. I finished the Book of Mormon
in Italian the other day and as i prayed to know it was true the beautiful,
familiar calm just touched my heart as i sat there.. and the song 'I know
that my Reedemer lives' came to mind. I know He lives and through the Book
of Mormon, i know Him better. It is the word of God. It is the guide that
we have been given to make it home to Heavenly Father.. We have been given
every answer to this test of life that we have been given. We only have to
read it and apply it everyday in our lives. There is no greater happiness
that i have found then i have helping others come unto Christ. I have loved
every companion, and city. I have learned, struggled, cried, prayed, and
pleaded. It feels like i have been here 100 years, but life before seems
like yesterday. All i can say is if you have the opprotunity to serve,
don't give it up. It would be the biggest you will have ever made. Heavenly
Father literally pushed me here.. I don't think i had a choice, and it has
been the biggest blessing. I never thought i would serve a mission, and
looking back i know that it was always apart of the plan. I trust in my
Heavenly Father, and i trust in all His promises of good things to come. To
me and my family for the service i have given, and to all those who have
listened to His direction. This is the work of God and it will not stop.
Our Savior is coming to the earth and there is no greater work to be doing
then that of salvation.. As a missionary, in the temples, wherever. That is
our job as members of the church of Jesus Christ. We have to envelope
ourselves in bringing our brothers and sisters home. It is what i will do
as i am back to the good state of Utah, and as i make my way back to my
really home with Heavenly Father. I sometimes get these little glimpses and
feelings of how eternity is going to be and i can't wait to spend it with
my family.. You people that are waiting for me in Utah and anche quella che
è qui. ((: I love you all!!
See you all reallll soon.
Con tutto l'amore che ho,

La Sorella Woods
the one and only. (:

From: "Cristal Woods" <cristal.woods@myldsmail.net>
To: "Lisa Woods" <coolwoods8@msn.com>
Subject: It's the end of the wo

From: "Cristal Woods" <cristal.woods@myldsmail.

To: "Lisa Woods" <coolwoods8@msn.com>
Subject: It's the end of the world as she how i 

February 25th's email-SHE DID IT!

And by that it means ANDREA IS BAPTIZED!! It took waking up at 4:30 in the morning to walk to the church to fill up the tub, but it was more than worth it. It's just oh you know, her salvation! As we were singing the last song 'Our Savior's love' My heart was just filled and the reality of what Sorella Warren and i helped Andrea do hit me like a brick wall. I looked at Andrea and she just looked me in the eyes and there was already a difference... like her vision and been opened and she had walked through this door that will allow her to make all the other covenants she needs to make.. Number of times i cry, really cry, i could probably count on my hands, but all of a sudden tears just came and wouldn't stop. I have spent a year and a half of my life doing this work and the reality of it just hit me so hard as i just sat there with Andrea and Warren.. It literally is the work of Salvation.. It is allowing someone to make this first step so that they can reach the next essential ones.. aka TEMPLE!!!! i love the temple. It really is my favorite place in the whole world. 

We had zone conference which was super good and all about decision making and how it determines destiny.. I couldn't help but think about home and about all the decisions i will now have to make.. It was also dying testimony time. I can't remember what i said except that i am grateful. Grateful that Heavenly Father loved me enough to send me here. I will never stop living the gospel because it is the ONLY way to live. I love this mission, this work, and i really am so blessed to have this foundation to build the rest of my life off of. Heavenly Father keeps teaching me daily, but i finally realized.. or finally listened to the Spirit that has been telling me that it is time to come home for the reason that i can't progress any more here. I have done the work that He has sent me to do. Heavenly Father's goal for us is that we continually progress.. And i can't progress anymore here. I have done my part and learned what i needed to learn and He knows that. That's why He is sending me home. The only way i can continue to progress is to come home, keep screwing up, keep learning, find my CHOSEN eternal companion, and start a family... yes there will be 1001 other adventures inbetween all that, Yes, ci voule tempo, but it just hit me so strong... i would call it the eternal perspective! And it is just another thing that makes it okay to come home! I love my mission. I love who i have become and how my vision has changed. I am grateful to utilize this experience every day for the rest of my life. 

Buona settimana!

Un sacco di amore,

Sorella Woods