This is Sarah's first official e-mail :)

   Alright so I love it here in the MTC its wayyyy too much fun :)

    Here is an overview of what my first week has been like- Everyone I talk with, only speaks Italian which is super..... stressful. But we are not talking English anymore and Italian is how we communicate EVERYTHING which makes meals hilarious cause everyone is talking in differant languages. So its way fun!!

   My District is super nice and fun so we generally keep it light-hearted until class where I basically die since my teacher was mis-informed... I DON'T SPEAK ITALIAN haha Yet I have yet to hear him speak in English. Sooooooo I am learning Italian in Italian... whaaaa

I guess thats how the church is pushing people out of here so fast. I already pray, teach, and speak in Italian so if thats not the gift of toungues I don't know what is. trust me there were some serious study sessions and tears and prayers this week.

   More fun facts:

-I am in the second wave of people to ever learn a language in 4 weeks- so I am an experiment I gather? Lucky me.

-I am in the largest group to ever be sent to Italy. YAYYYY we have a group of 53 and 16 of us our sisters but I think only 10 of us are going to Milan Italy.

- Our district leader confirmed that I have 2-3 transfers before becoming a trainer so I have to not suck.. no pressure.

The church is true- which is quite clear to everyone here. There is no way I just learned Italian as much as I have in a week unless God knew I would be training withing the next 5 months.

Also- another random thing- I am the only one in my district without connections to Italy! Everyone else had a brother or dad that has served there OR a parent who is Italian. Basically I am the ONLY one who had to start at square 1 for learning Italian. Saaawheaaat. But not really.

Right now I am teaching a guy named Nico and he is Catholic and he is just interested in "facts" about the church but tomorrow I have my 8th lesson with him and he is giving us his answer about babtism. Hopefully he understood my question at least..... thats what i INTENDED to ask him.. hahaha Pretty much every lesson I leave wondering what the heck I said. In general he is responsive to my horrible American accent, and  he has accepted all of out commitments so the last thing on the list is babtism. YAY! If only it were real..

Sarah made it to the MTC and hit the ground running!!

Her first 4 hours of class were in Italian......

6 sisters in her room....tiny space.

Loves, loves, loves her companion. 

There are so many missionaries they are literally oozing out the walls :)

Loves the MTC and is "having a BLAST"

      Alright here I go!!! I have just a couple hours until I am set apart as a missionary and tomorrow at 3:00am I head off to the airport. I couldn't be more excited!
     This blog will now be updated with my emails I send to my family and my mom will post them on here :D
       I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints holds the full truth of this life. I wouldn't be putting everything on hold in all aspects of my life for 18 months if I wasn't 100% positive of it. I love the Lord and I know he loves all of his children. I hope I can convey even a fraction of what I know to those people in Milan, Italy and I hope I can be an example of Christ there. Pray for me and pray I don't die/ get lost. AHHHHHHH.  If you ever have questions about the church letttmeehhhknoww I would love to talk about it! sarah.holloway@myldsmail.net is my email- See yall in 18 months!!!

.. and I am a Mormon

http://mormon.org/me/BWF1/SarahHolloway

I am a Mormon :) Here is my online profile- just copy and paste into the web box

Address for Letters/ Packages!

Italy Mailing Address:
(May 1st- September 20th 2014)
Sorella Sarah Marie Holloway
Missione Italiana di Milano
Via A. Gramsci 13
20090 Opera  (MI)
Italy

My Italian Book of Mormon

"Called to Serve" in Italian

Representing Portland in Italy!

From Portland to Italy

Called to serve in the Italy, Milan Mission

Italy and Vegas Missionaries!!

Having fun preparing for a mission together!!!

The best letter of my LIFE.

Portland Oregon Temple <3

Getting Ready to Leave Pt.1

      It's me! I only have 15 days until I report to the MTC and I couldn't be more excited. Today I bought a whole new load of clothes that I probably don't need, as well as quit my job! I can feel reality sinking in.... almost.
     A lot of my friends have their calls and we are all in the waiting stage- so and I am the first out of my friends to get sent out of the country so I am nervous but also excited we all are getting ready together. I got the opportunity to go back to Rexburg last weekend to say bye to my friends up there as well as my favorite teachers!!!!
     So things I am most nervous for would have to be gaining weight... Loosing friends... People forgetting me... Not liking my companions... The lack of music/Facebook/headphones... BUT biggest fear of all is NEVER being alone. Scares me to death. I might explode. But those are pretty normal I feel like- and pretty easy to get used to. ALSO coming home. Yikes. Then I have to really join real life.
     I am most excited for sharing what I know... for starting over... for learning the language... loving the Ialians... The plane flight (I LOVE planes and airports)... Hopefully becoming a master of scripture-ness... For having one focus and not worrying about money and things like that... and FOOD. :D
    I am super excited to go. Can't wait!!! More updates to come!!