Speaking of countdowns- 12 DAYS TILL SKYPE TIME.
EEEEPPPPPPPPPPPP WE HAVE A PAPER CHAIN and ever morning for comp study we rip
one off..... Hahahaha It’s quite exciting.
SO story of the ward activity! Was probably one of the
most stressful things I have ever had to do hahahaha basically we had about
50 investigators there and like.... 8 members... So MISSING THE POINT OF A
BBQ hahhaha Anyway its over and everyone that came had a good time and the
anziani invited some Gypsys so that was quite an experience Hahaha It was fun
but i am soooooo glad it’s over.
Before I forget- Next week we have a conference in Verona
and it’s on Wednesday so NO EMAIL till Thursday. Soooooo yeah. P-day is
moved. :) Don’t forget and go into panic that I’m dead. I’m probably not. :)
So yeah we have an area 70 coming and The Church Historian! (snow I believe)
So it should be quite fun!
Last night was one of the best days EVERRRRRR we went to a
members house and she is from Ghana and holly cow. We walk into her home and
it’s just this one room and we all sit together and we hear her stories about
how she found the church and how she got here in Italy and she is SOOOO
AWESOME. She was going to fly home this year but her daughter is having
another baby so she is putting it off another year so she can send her
daughter money every month. I think she will be translated. She has all this
pictures taped up and she is just so happy and content with the smallest
things. I learned sooo much from her. When we left all she should say was
"You Have freed me from this cage! you have set me free" hahaha
:) I was to be this sister when I grow up. The word Need is very precious and
I really have learned the definition on NEED on the mission. I am such a
charmed life and I had no idea how charmed my life really was, but man. I
have it wayyy easy- No right to complain about ANYTHING. Life is freaking
bliss. I hope you can meet her one day!!!!
On Tuesday we went with these AWESOME investigators and
they took us to a Convention-fair thing! And wwowwwwww I ate SOOOOO GOOOD. It
may sound weird but I was drinking Balsamic vinegar by the spoonfuls. They
had some aged 12-25 years and I was just drinking it hhahaha SO YUMMY hahaha
and they had loafs of bread bigger than me and I got a lamb
sandwich hahaha was wayyyy yummy just everything!!!!! I sampled so many good
things I don’t even know where to start hahaha
On monday though ahahahahaha We did NOT eat good- It
POURED like no ones business and it took us 3 hours biking just to get to the
other side of town, so we stopped somewhere to eat to try Tugelli and nochi
which is something we had never tried before - but its Modenese soooooooo-
Have to try it right? We figured it was a type of pasta so we got half and
half of one plate and then order a "Napoli" pizza to split just in
case it was bad.
(WARNING: Don’t think I am crazy when I say split a pizza-
pizza here is cracker thin and you eat a whole pizza and it is equal to 2
pieces.. I swear)
Sooooooo we wait and we are super embarrassed because this
place is sooooooo full and we are soaking wet and shaking cause we are so
freezing and they come out with it hahahahaha
Ok well Tigelle is NOT pasta haha It’s like mini pancakes
hahah like really thin English muffins and the nochi were good, but like a
bready puff that you put Nutella on hahaha So that surprised us. Cause we
were thinking it was going to be drool-fantastic..... and they bring out
miniature flat and hard pancakes as their delicacy ahahahaGoooshhhhhhh
So we think- okay good thing we got a pizza and they come
out with the pizza and what does it have on it? Anchovies. -____- yeah I
don’t do that. Aint NOBODY DO THAT. So we tried taking it off- impossible.
There was nasty fish hair all over that pizza and was COVERED in salt. Hahaha
Horrible. We left really disappointed and $11 poor-er.
THENNNNN that night we go over to a members house and she
made us rice with a bucket load of canned shrimp in it, with what my
companion likes to call "Poop Shoots" still attached.
Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Good times good times... Hahahaha
hahahaahah I also had interview with President Dibb- I
passed! And I am allowed to continue to be a missionary. YAY ME!
Favorite quote of the week "Joseph Smith never would
have survived in Italy" hahahaha Yeahhhh a member told us that while she
was giving us Mafia history haahaha Good times.
I love you Forever and Holloways! hahaha get it? It’s
quite clever. Hahaha
I WILL SEE YOU IN 12 DAYS!!!!!!!!
|
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
04/30/14 - 16 more weeks to go!!!
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
04/23/14
HEYO FAMILY!!!!!!!
This week has been pretty good, we are trying to set up a
church activity at the church......... it could not be easier YET working with
people who stress about everything makes it stressful. It’s a freaking BBQ and
the only thing people ask me about is who is going to clean it...... ? Like
really? -____- JUST EAT AND BE MERRY.
OKAY SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO funny story. We went over to teach
this part-member family last week hahaha and we taught this great lesson and
then they pull out this dessert they had made for everyone (SO NICE) and its
basically apple pie filler and they put it into this little dish hahaha ok so
far so good- and THEN they pull out Philadelphia Cream Chasse........ And put
half the container on mine, and the other half on my companions... BAHHAAHAHAHA
yeah I can’t do that. Cream cheese IS NOT for apple pie filler. Aint nobody want
a half a container of cream cheese and an apple slice!!!!! hahaha so my
companion KNOWs that is not going down my throat cause my gag reflex is
wayyyyyy to light, so she pulls out a napkin and gives it to me Hahaha And I
frantically put it on the napkin- into another wrapper- into my purse and we
looked like Idiots. I got like two huge bites down and then it was stuck in my
throat. Napkins are a missionary’s best friend.
On the opposite spectrum MIRACLE OF THE WEEK: We got a
referral last week for this couple with a daughter who is an exchange student
in Idaho Falls, so clearly, she is living with and LDS Family there.
We go over to meet them and they are SO AWESOME- they are so
excited to meet us and welcome us in and want to hear all about the
Restaurazione and THEN they say- Do you want to meet our daughter? So we go
into the other room and their daughter is on skype!!!!!!!!! SO we said hi to
this exchange student in IDAHO and she was telling us all the great things
about America hahahahaha (AS IF WE DON'T REMEMBER VIVIDLY) and she was so
excited we were teaching her parents. Its sooo cool. She is not a member but
her host family brings her to church every week so she really likes it but is
still Atheist, as well as her parents. BUT, we still teach them. We taught them
Il Piano di Salvezza on Monday and they LOVED IT and took pictures of it and
put them on facebook hahaha They were just like this is sooo great!!! Hahaha
Uhhh Yes. Yes it is. It is also trueeeeeee so that’s a big deal. Anyway. They
made us dinner and Holy drool fantastic. They are Napoli- quindi- everything
they make is perfect.
Its just been a really great week. We are working hard and
having fun. I can’t wait to see you guys!!!!! Maggio 11!!!! SOOO SOONN!!!!!!!!
Love YOU!!!!!
04/16/14
HEY FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!
Bad News first- We think we lost that baptismal date with
that awesome lady- She won’t meet with us cause this member offended her- and I
assure you it was NOTHING to be offended by- It’s just the Italian mind set. We
are hoping this passes and she comes to her senses again cause who knows how
long Italian rants can go on. We are going on day 5 sooooooooo soon right?? Speaking
of rants- we were teaching a lesson last week and a fight broke out..... That
will drive the spirit away! Hahahaha Cubans and Italians.. I fear I will come
home yelling and shaking my hands at everyone. I apologize in advance.
Good news! My companion are working extra hard this week and
we are teaching everyone we see hahaha A lot of walking around and talking to
people in parks and a lot of praying in the middle of the street- Its super
great. Strange as it may sound, the more uncomfortable you are willing to be,
the more people you will talk to, and the more people you talk to, the more
people you will teach. If you are teaching- You are happy. PERIOD. It solves
everything. ESPECIALLY HOMESICKNESS. Why did no one tell me that never goes
away?? Hahaha A return missionary came back yesterday with his parents to tour
his mission and mannnn I was SOOOOOO JEALOUS. I was just like- I WANT MY
PARENTS!!!!!!!!!! They just rented a car and got to go see everything!!! ITS SO
COOL!!!!!!
Its fine though. I love Italy. It’s great. And we skype in
25 Days. My companion and I made a paper chain this morning.
EEEEPPPPP!!!!!
Another highlight from this week is that I SAW THE SEA!!!!!
Hahah We did an exchange (I don’t know if that’s really what it’s called) Like
a trading companions thing- so we went to Rimini, and I saw the Adratic
Sea!!!!!!! ITS INCREDABLE!!!!!!!!! Hopefully I can’t send you some pictures!!!
It was SOOOOOO windy so we all look crazy but oh well!!!!!!! The sun has come
out and I am grateful! Hahaha
Also- we went to sing in Downtown again to do some more
finding with our elders, and I got kissed by 2 men, and got proposed too......
Italy. Who would have thought? The Elders thought it was hilarious; I was just like
WHERES MY PEPPER SPRAY????? THIS IS NO WAY TO CELEBRATE PALM SUNDAY. Lol Oh and
not to mention random people just came up to us and were like taking pictures
with us? Whats up with that??????? i am gunna end up on one of those iFunnies
or something and my life be ruined forever! Hahaha
Another funny thing- They opened a H&M here,
Woahhhhhhhhhh It got MOBBED- I have never seen so many people in a store at one
time before!! It was crazy!!!!!
Anyway other than that- I am doing really good! I love life and
I am really excited for my last 3 transfers!!!!! I gotta live it up!!!!!!! I can’t
wait to see you guys!!!!!!!!!! 25 Days!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to start thinking of
questions hahahaha :) LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
04/09/14
FAMILY!!!!!!
General conference was SOOOOO AWESOME!!!!!! Ya for
sure was sooooo needed. Yeah we got to watch it in ENGLISH!!! Which is a total
blessing hahaha The translators just don’t cut it for me. I wanna hear their
voices ya know? So yeah, Saturday we Watched Women’s Conference, then Saturday
Morning (Which started at 6:00pm for us) and then Sunday we watched Saturday
Afternoon at 4-6 and Sunday Morning 6-8 Hahaha Sooooo Sunday afternoon we
watched Monday night 6-8. Hahah a little frustrating but super fun :)
Conference for missionaries really is better than Christmas. I went through
like 12 boxes of tissues and used up like a whole notebook..... It’s fine. Haha
OKAYYYY SO my big news for the week is I got my official
release date. I come Home AUGUST 21. :) I am so excited. and that gives me a
little time at home before I have to move again YAYYYY So I am super happy. :)
Stephen... cough cough.... Pay attention to that date..... cough cough...
YAY MOTHERS DAY!!!!! 4 weeks is SO SOON!!!! Ok I have noooo
idea what my Skype account is so Jay??? Do you mind making me an account?? Or
something??? I don’t think I will luck out using a members... again.... Hahaha
In fact we might be in an internet point.... Lol
The work here is going SO GOOD!!!!! We are having a baptism
for that lady who read the Whole Book of Mormon MAY 10th
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH We are soooooooooo happy and excited
and we are just freaking out on all levels. When we asked her to be babtised she
just got all excited and was like "Va bene!! Sisisisisi Bene!!!! "
hahahaha You guys. This is a huge miracle. I just wish you could have been
there with us. The church is TRUEEEEEEEEEE..... and she has an 11 year old son
so we hope we can baptize him too..... SHE IS EVEN ITALIAN. AHHHHHHHH.
Anyyyyywayyyyyyy Life is so good. I love you all so
much!!!! I can’t wait to see you in 4 weeks :)))) EEEPPPPPP I am praying for
you all and for your missionaries there so they will know what to say to you
guys friends- You can trust them!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!
-Sorella Holloway
Thursday, April 3, 2014
04/02/14
Sarah 4/2/14
hahahaha Okay so MIRACLE WEEK!!!!!! Literally we got 6 new
investigators and 3 want to be baptized and LIFE IS SOOOO GOOODDDDDDDD. These
miracles took their freaking time getting here but man- BOOM they came.
For example, me and my companion will do ANYTHING to teach a
lesson so if someone can only meet with us a P-Day, FINE. WE WILL BE THERE
hahahaha SOOOOOOOOO I just got out of this lesson- FIRST lesson mind you. Ok
and she says hey, let’s go out, I'll buy you lunch (She is an angel, we
literally haven’t done grocery shopping for 2 weeks) so we sit down in this
cafe and she is a friend of a member so we weren’t sure just how much she knew.
So she starts talking about how much she wants to change and how much she loves
the church and we are thinking "Ok this is aweeeesome" Then walks
over A MEMBER who sits down with us because they are friends. So Then we teach
the restoration.... (I have no idea how that’s really spelled.) and she says
"That makes so much sense" and then starts asking her questions, ALL
of which are perfectly simple, easy to answer questions. SO we answer her and
she says, "Finally- No one else has been able to answer these questions
for me!" THENNNNNNN guess what happens. The member asks her how much she
read in il Libro di Mormon, and she says "Oh I am in Alma 39"
OH WHATTTTTT We didn't even know she HAD a Book of Mormon let
alone, read HALF of it. Anyway- this isn't surprising but she wants to be
baptized So yeah. That JUST happened... like 30 minutes ago. Life is bliss.
Moments like that make EVERYTHING else worth it. Blessings!!!!!!!!
That’s pretty much how our whole week has been. People we
talk to are just super open and willing to talk and change and come and we are
soooo happy.
Anyway other than our AWESOME lesson we just had, We had a
19 year old Girl in our Ward just leave on a mission to Madrid- hahaha SHE WILL
BE SO GREAT!!!!! And her last night in Italy we went out to get Gelato and
Turkish Kebab which is Sooooo gooooddd butttt My companion and I got food
poisoning. So, you can imagine. It was quite exciting sharing a bathroom. No
worries- we feel WAY better.
Other things: I don’t have a driver’s license...... Soo.....
That’s a problem...
Also: Mother’s day is NEXT MONTHHHH AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I
am so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALSO: If anyone wants to do a service project.. I hear there
is a sister mission in Italy who really wants some Doritos.. Beef jerky....
Costco Chipotle Chips... Salsa... Root beer...Goldfish.... Skirts...Burt’s Bees
Chap stick... CRYSTAL LIGHT STRAWBERRY ENERGY PACKS....... In case anyone asks-
Serve a missionary and life gets better. That’s what I hear.
Ok I love you!!!!!!! HAVE A SUPER GREAT WEEKKK!!!!!!!!!!
0326/14
Zone Conference was SOOO GOOD!!!!! Those missionaries have
no idea how lucky they really are though. Every Zone Conference we get pizza-
NOT THAT I AM COMPLAINING but I am just saying pizza to me like
Mac&cheese!!! I would kill for anything Mexican. IN FACT This week we ate
at this AWESOME members house and they somehow got their hands on Salsa......
Yeah Me and my comp DOWNED that thing I felt soooooo bad! I like looked down
and it was gone!!!!!
Please promise me the first thing we do when me plane hits
the ground is GO TO CHEVEYS. Please. My setting apart can wait 2 hours. A MENO.
Hahahaha I NEED CHIPS AND SALSA.
I am so jealous of Timmy!!!! Cruising it up!!! hahah Lucky
bum.
I vote Family Cruise? Italy? January 2015?? I VOTE YES. If
we wait any longer then that I can’t promise anything about my Italian so we
gotta move fast.
Anyway, updates with
me is thatttttt We have a new investigator and she is SUPER GREAT!!!!! Hahahaha
Here's a twist, she speaks English hahah sooooooo you can imagine the problem.
I never learned how to be a missionary in English sooo that lesson was
hilarious BUT HEY, She still wants to meet with us so that’s a step!! And I am
thankful!!!!!! hahahaha Also we finally have a Ward Mission Leader EEEEPPPPPPP
So now we might actually get to work with some members which would be super
great. Chissà . :))) He is super nice- he even calls us to just check and see
how we are doing. IT’S INCREDIBLE. Hahahaha
Anyway I love you so much!!!!! Make good choices and don’t
forget bout me!!!!!!!!
-Sorella Holloway
03/19/14
WOOHOO!!! Yeah Tomorrow is my YEAR MARK and the best news of
all is I am going up to Verona for Zone Conference, and guess who will be
there- SORELLA HASLEM!!!!!!!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!
We started the mission together; we were with each other on
our six month mark- and now our year mark!!!! EEEEPPP!!!!!! I LOVE HER SO
MUCH!!!!!
Anyway That’s what’s up with me!!!!!! We are trying to find
new ways to find people and our favorite thing to do now is sing on the side of
the street. Bahahaha Sounds weird- yes, Then when people stop we teach them and
pray with them and just like that we get a phone number and a new investigator.
haha Its so fun!!!
So we have done that a lot and we teach a lot on the side of
the street- its getting pretty normal. Hahaha
That is so cool you are gunna be at that Zone
Conference!!!!! You should try and sneak in... They are the best. Hahaha It’s
so weird to think that there would be a conference in our ward building. Haha
In my mind I am like..... "There aren't even trains to get them there...
or buses..... and what’s a chapel?" Hahahahaha They are so lucky. -____-
Hahaha
Our Conference is tomorrow and we leave at 6:45 AM and take
a two hour train ride, then a 40 minute bus ride, then walk for another 15
minutes to a building in Verona. There might be a building there actually-
Chissà . Anyway I am excited. AND I have never been to Verona so EVEN MORE
FUN!
Anyway I love you all and Yeah!!! Life is good!!!!!!
The church is still true!!!!
03/12/14
HEY-YO FAMILY!!!!!!!
It’s been a pretty great- packed- interesting week Hahaha
The first thing I got to tell you guys, is that I am so
proud of myself. I have joyfully eat tomatoes and cheese I still can’t eat
plain but I EAT IT and so it’s a big deal! ALSO this week we moved in and so
members have been inviting us to go do things with them and so we just say yes
to everything. Hahaha Well....... Ok so on March 8th there is a holiday just
for women. So The Relief Society took a huge group out to eat. Well we get
there and what do you know- Its sushi. Everything Sushi......
Ok I don’t like any seafood- and sushi I had never tried.
Well let me tell you I have never eaten so much seafood in my life. I ate raw
Crab, Salmon, Squid, Shrimp YES RAW and then round two was it fried... mildly
better, Then just to top it off I ate Raw fish eggs. Yes I did. Here’s the
deal- Its was an "all you can eat" sushi place which everyone got
(yes I gave into the crowd) and they just have you raise your hand if you
wanted it. Well in my mind I was like "Alright- if I am gunna try sushi, I
am gunna TRYY sushi full out. " Well I went hardcore and ate all that raw
business like Plates of it- none of this tasting business and I did so
good!!!!! BUTTT THENNNN I got to the fish eggs, and My first huge bite I
started chewing and yeah.... There went my gag reflex and I ran to bathroom and
threw up everyyythingggggg. Thus I tried it all twice. -____- SO embarrassing.
The whole group was laughing at me and they were all like "You tried soooo
harddddd"-___- Then literally a pregnant lady walked in behind me and said
"MY TURN" hahaha Ohhhh the humiliation. On the bright side they like
me now so I have friends? Hahaha
Then the next night, members invited us over and what do you
know they start feeding us!!!!! (Usually Blissful) But in Italy that means like
6 rounds.... Soooooo They went easy on us and brought in down to 3 courses and
the first round was LITERALLY Pasta and Shrimp. A whole bowl of it. So big.
Like bigger then my face and I SWEAR there is more shrimp then pasta- so I die
inside and eat it knowing I had just thrown ALLLL this up the day before and we
get through the night and I just throw it all up when we get home.
CONCLUSION: I have not broken into Seafood yet. I am trying
so hard but I just can’t make it. :( Please don’t go out to Seafood for your
Birthday mom- It’s not worth it.
Speaking of Success- My Companion in addicted to popcorn and
we go through like a bag a week. :) POPCORN like at least 3 times a week.
Another funny thing that happened was yesterday we went to
go visit the Bishop andddd haahahaha He bought us pepper spray. Our apartment
has a bar underneath it and we see prostitutes out our window (We have started
naming them) THUS we told our bishop and he bought us protection. Haven’t
practiced using it yet but hey that’s what companions are for right?? Hahaha
KIDDING!
The work here is picking up- We actually have lessons set up
but a lot of the time we just walk the streets and try to stop people- it’s
pretty fun!
Right now we are teaching a lady and she is really sweet but
right now her work is... Well.... She works for this married man as his
Mistress if you will. So she doesn't want to come to church cause she knows
it’s wrong, but this has been her work for the past 9 years so she doesn't feel
like she can give it up since he pays for her 4 kids and all their bills. SO
INCREDIBLY SAD. So that’s our investigator right new :) She is super nice :)
I love you guys so much!!! I love being in Modena- and don’t
worry, life is so good!!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!!!
-Sorella holloway!!!!!
03/06/14
HI FAMILY!!!!!!
Yes I am alive- Yes Everything is fine, and Best news I have
gotten all week, OUR APARTMENT IS READY!!!! Two weeks into the transfer.......
WE ARE SO HAPPY so we move into the apartment tonight and we are so
happy.
We do a lot of finding these days and its really cold so no
one is actually on the streets.... so we do apartment buzzing a lot.....
BUTTTTT On Sunday members invited us over for Lunch and if
was bliss. Church for sure is always the highlight of my week! The church is
true Family!!!!!
Also- I am going to quote my District leader again. He was
talking about the Plan of Happiness, and he said something that really hit me.
And I quoteeeee "Repentance was never the backup plan. It was and is THE
PLAN" It was never then plan for us to be perfect, the plan was for us to
mess up and repent so we can become more like God and his son Jesus
Christ.
So yeah that blew my mind it’s no big deal. It’s engraved
into my mind forever. THE CHURCH IS TRUE. Thanks for all your prayers and I
love you all so much. :) I love being a missionary and I love working hard.
:)
Love- Sorella Holloway
02/26/14
Hellloooooooooooooooo
Sooooooo... Where to begin.
Alright I am living in Bologna (Buh-Lone-Ya).... And I
commute to Modena(Mow-Duh-Nuh) everyday which takes about 3 hours anddddddd ya.
We dont have anything yet soooooooo send me chocolate cause I think we are
slowly slipping into madness.
On the bright side- I love my companion- She is literally
the best. We just laugh ALL the time so .... that makes things so much
better.
So in Modena we have a ward- I hear they are really great!!!
Hahaha Someday I will know!!!! Haha We are just on hold until we can figure out
the apartment thing andddddd yeah. It’s gunna be great. Patience. I had no idea
what patience was until like yesterday... I LOVE MISSIONS. LEARNING AND GROWING.
I AM SLOWING BECOMING A BETTER PERSON I THINK.
So we had a good district meeting and our district leader
said something I really liked
He said, "Why do we give up work on Sundays? Why do we
fast for two meals? Why do we give up Coffee? And Why do we ask strangers to do
the same thing?
It’s because We know The lord supports us more than that
job. The Lord is More Secure then that job. We know that little piece of bread
on Sunday will do so much more for us then eating that breakfast and lunch. We
know that following the prophet will give up more energy for the day then that
coffee. It’s because we want our brothers and sisters to have that surety we
have. They may not recognize the symbolism and we may not either- but our
spirits recognize it and that’s why when we see baptism, and take the sacrament
we are filled with peace."
-So that was for sure the highlight of my week- SO GOOD and
SO TRUE
Ummm Mom I think you should just team everyone up in relief
society and have them be with that person 24-7 for six weeks. They will learn
Charity REAL FAST. Hahaha kiddinggg... kinda..... Uhhhhhh I met a Man today on
the street who told me he was an angel... named John the Baptist... And he then
followed us around for the next half hour telling us stories and ya know what?
That man who is convinced he is John the Baptist is literally my brother. He is
brother. God loves him just as much as he loves me- and God would hug him just
as much as he would hug me and he misses that man just as much as he misses me.
The first two paragraphs in Chapter 1 of Preach my Gospel pretttttty much
explain it all. If we love people, then we will help our family out- and share
the gospel. Being willing and having the courage to be embarrassed and look
like an idiot and be hated and mocked for trying to help someone - that’s
charity. They say what comes around comes back around but that doesn’t mean you
get to recognize it when it comes back. That’s the trick with charity- cause
its linked with faith. You do it even when a lot of the time it won’t seem
worth it, but you have to have the faith it is.
Anyway I love you guys! Send me chocolate or I think I will
die its fineeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
HAVE A GREAT WEEKKKKK!!!!!!!
02/19/14 Transferred to Modena!!
FAMILY!!!!!!!!
Ok the big news this week is that I AM GETTING
TRANSFERRED.
So I am opening in Modena. This means Sisters have never
served in the city before and we start it up.... Sooooo Yeah! I am excited and
terrified and am praying my companion can help me out while we try to pull our
apartment together and so finding work allll dayyyy hahahahahaha EXCITING!!!
So today I am going to say bye to Florence and wollow in
self pity. I said bye to everyone last night and there were quite some tears.
Like basically a waterfall from my face. Anddddddddd I also invited them all to
my future wedding so sorry bout that. Lol we'll have a crazy Italian Mob.
REALLY COOL STORY: We were walking out of the station last
Friday night and I see this girl off in the distance wearing an Oregon Ducks
jacket so I gasp and break out into a run cause ONE- she speaks English and
TWO- She’s from my beloved Oregon. So We FINALLY catch up to her and she went
to school there and she is a Professional Basketball player in
Switzerland!!!!! So I invite her to the activity at the church, and She
comes!!!!!! And then the next night we met up with her in Centro and taught her
the restoration and SHE IS SO GREAT!!!! So the Sisters in Como will teach her
or the sisters in Lugano because she is in the Italian speaking part of
Switzerland. ANYWAY IT WAS A TOTALLLLLL MIRACLE!!!!!!! She is one of the
most prepared people I have ever met. :)
then that we did a lot of teaching this week which
has been a total blessing and now I am heading out to a new city!!
FANTASTIC!!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!! AND TERRIFED!!!!!!! YAYYYYYYYY
I love you all so much and I just can’t wait to hear more
about your guys adventures.
The Church is true, the book is blue, and Jesus is a Mormon.
Come what may and love it!!!
02/12/14
We had that Zone Conference that I was talking about this
week- AND IT WAS AWESOME!!!!! It was definitely the highlight of my
past......... month. Yeah. Hahaha We just have such good leaders here! Anyway
one thing that I learned was they were talking about how "We're
Awesome" hahaha YAY! And they were just pointing out all the things we do
as members and then they shared that quote about how "every other
dispensation has fallen into apostasy- but not ours. Now do you think Heavenly
Father would have saved just anyone for this vital time when we have to be SO
SURE that the truth never leaves us again? The truth of the matter is, God
didn't recommend Moses, or Abraham or Noah for this time- but he recommended
You and me. It is no small thing you are here are earth at this time"
Isn't that great??? Yeah. It was the one of the best things
I have heard.
It made it into the Journal.
Side note: I am like.. a super journaler- I literally have
not missed a SINGLE DAY of writing in my journal my entire mission and I write
1 Miracle I saw every day, thus today is Miracle 339... aka Day 339 hahah Isn't
that CRAZY? Also I have this other journal thing where I basically keep
everything. Let’s just say I will remember every second of my mission forever
because I basically have journaled everything.
Also fun fact!!!!! we saw a GIANTTTTT RATTTTTT right
by our house last week. Ok Now think Princess Bride ok... Ya know those Giant
rats YEAH THHEY ARE REAL MY FRIENDS. That thing could have eaten Jared no
problem- I am no exaggerating- Think of like.... A pug. I would say it was
slightly larger than a pug- My companion and I thought it was an Otter MA ALAS-
TIS WAS NOT SO- we asked someone walking by. and they were just like "Oh
It’s just a giant mouse..."
Dude if that’s a mouse...... Then Horses are Elephants.
That’s all I gotta say.
I literally had nightmares about that thing.
Other than that I still love life!!!!! We have some
investigators that will hopefully be baptized someday anddddddd I love praying
with random people on the street! Its all bliss!! The harder the work gets the
harder I laugh cause that just seems like a better way to live. :) I also sing.
I sing a lot. Puddle jumping is also a new hobby of mine :) Hahahah
I can’t believe it is snowing so much!!!!!!!!!! It could
pass as summer here!!!!! I mean it’s been raining a lot and its cold but- its
DEFINATLY not winter status anymore. I am Almost jealous..... Not quite... but
almost hahahaha
Anyway I love you! Don’t forget about me! Lol I will see you
soon! The church is true!!!!! If it wasn't I sure as HECK would not be alive
right now!!!! But I am! So the Church is True!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love love love you!!!!
02/06/14
Everything is going so great here!!! We have 7 people
right now that are working toward baptism but we are spread really thin because
we cover ALL of Florence which is sooo much... I would say about 50%
of our work is praying with random people on the street trying to find more
people to teach and... yeah. I love Florence but the work is weird. Hahaha Some
days we run from appointment to appointment and don’t eat lunch or anything so
we teach for literally 11 hours and then other days we go
buzzing Apartment to Apartment and stopping people on the street for 11
hours hahaha Its really fun cause you kinda have to be good at everything
cause you either gotta be teaching about the restoration or Chastity or
WHATEVER cause you have to pull it out of your hat super quick. In Italian.
Soooo We gotta know our stuff. I LOVE IT
We had a great lesson with an investigator the other day and
we watching Finding Faith in Christ and all she could say was just "I need
to follow him. I need to be baptized" hahaha Usss Yes. Yes you do, kinda
like what we have been saying for the past 5 MONTHS. Hahaha It’s ok. I have
learned patience like NONE OTHER so that’s my new learning experience. BUT HEY!
It clicked! Makes everything else worth it. She calls herself our Italian mom
(She really is) and Mom- She wants to meet you SO BAD! Hahaha Not to mention
your birthdays are only a week off hahaha SO CUTE!
We have a Zone Conference next Monday which I am pretty
excited about so I don’t feel alone in this little Island hahaha Us- Seinna and
Pisa and Montivarchi are like all the way down here closest to the Rome
mission so its jut us 8 sister missionaries and like the Kajillion Elders
Hahaha All the other sisters are way north where I started :)
We have a lot of fun here though- I never go like 2 hours
without laughing a ton hahaha so we are happy :) The last 2 P-Days have been
INCREDIBLE
so I wll send as many pictures as I can :)
love you so much! I can’t wait to see you all very
soon!!!
THE CHURCH IS THE TRUTH!!!
0122/14
So this wasssss crazyyyyyyyy as usual. But I would say the highlight
has to be that yesterday we were in Pisa all day and we TOTALLY did finding
work around the tower. I think it is the craziest thing in the world. Just
casually walking by people teaching them about Christ and then turning around
and seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa..... It’s insane. My life is insane.
My Companion and I were talking about this the other day and
ya know- most people know where Florence Italy is.. ya know? It’s kind of a big
deal!!! Well, there are 2 Sister missionaries for the true church of Jesus
Christ, aka 2 representatives here in Florence Italy and I am one of them. That
is the coolest thing in the world. THAT IS SO COOL. I am so lucky. But for
reals.
Also The sorelle in Sienna came and stayed with us last
night (Florence- Pisa-Sienna sorelle are all pretty close since we are the only
ones "down here") and There is a new Italian Sisterand she is so
fun!!! I love her. It was weird speaking Italian inside the apartment too
(Usually it’s just outside) but it was also fun to pretend to
be Italian hahahaha
I am so proud of my family which is now becoming a dancing
family!!!!! Look at you Mom and dad!!! Look at you Tim!!!!! Bravo. BRAVO!!! Now
why is this all being unveiled AFTER I leave????????? It’s whatever I am over
it. -______-
Thats all for today folks!!!
I Love you loads!!!!!!!!!
I Love you loads!!!!!!!!!
01/15/14
So Life is really good- Right now we are the only
Sorelles in Firenze (Florence) so we have SO much to cover and we try doing the
braches separately but its hard cause we can have like 6 appointments a day
with one branch and then the other NOTHING. We literally walk all day talking
to hobos and randoms on the streets and climb apartment buildings just
looking for SOMEBODY and not ONE person will talk to us its INSANE. Anyway.
That branch needs more members so it’s what we gotta do! The funniest part is
when we stop by a members house or a less actives home and ask if we can Talk
to them for a second OR for 5 minutes OR Sing them a song- they freak out in
their Italian ways and just say "nononnnononononononononono Non Abbiamo
tampo- Maybe another time... maybe... not right now... ok ciao ciao
ciao...."
Bahahahahaaha PLEASE FAMILY. If missionaries knock on your
freaking door- Let them talk for two seconds. Sheesh. They are already
there!!!! hahahahahaha Yeah- Those days are always the funniest.
Another funny story: We went to a lesson with an
investigator we have and she brought a friend who has been investigating the
church for about... 100 years. Probably. More or less. And they were super
sweet and made us sit down and gave us all this DIVINE Italian Pastries Hahaha
And during this time, Our Investigators friend pulls out this book and
says,"Can I read you something???"
So obviously my mind goes to like... oh no..... He is a
Testimony di Jehovah and we are about to get verbally abused...... OR he is
gunna get really awkward and read us a love poem- WHO KNOWS so my companion and
I just look at each other in PANIC hahaha
So he starts reading..... It’s a Relationship advice....
From Bible stories.... So we learned ALLLLLLLLLL about how the women at the
well talking To Christ is really all about how you can’t fall in love with
someone until you know their complete dating history.... And their personal
life.....
I was so inspired.
My future husband is blessed to have me with all this new
knowledge about Bible Stories cause apparently they are all secret LOVE stories
-____- Man oh man.
Another fun fact! I went into Gucci and Prada the other just
casually asking for directions...... its whatever. They all thought I was a
rich American girl cause I was Blonde.... I wasn't gunna tell them anything
different.....
ANOTHER THING! My companion had this really good idea about
a Personal Rule book that I absolutely LOVED so I thought I would confess my
first personal rules for myself Hahaha
1. Keep Calm and Read a Holland Talk
2. No matter how bad things get, Nutella can probably fix
it.... but really.
3. Laughter is always the best medicine, so if you can’t
think of anything to laugh about... Remember that one time Sorella Strong Tries
to do the casual kiss the cheek thingy to Karla... and then accidentally kissed
her on the lips... That should keep you laughing for a while..... (Obviously,
you had to be there, insert your own funny story)
4.Music can change any attitude, situation, or feeling so be
wise and choose well
5. Being annoyed is a choice
6. Even when the cup isn't half full, keep your eyes fixed
on that last drop because the cup is NEVER empty
7. If you are having a hard day, you are probably thinking
too much about yourself.
8. You are a child of God- so Act like it
9. Count you MANY blessings
10. Be grateful for yesterday because now you can have a
better tomorrow
11. You don’t have to wait till tomorrow for the sun to come
out
12. If you are sick, doesn't mean you have to look like it
:)
13. Always quote Preach my Gospel and The District
#quotepreachmygospeleveryday #hebrokeit #JUSTCOMETOCHURCH
14. Don’t judge others because they sin differently then
you!
So yeah. That’s my 20-year-old Wisdom to and for myself. I
am open to new rules if you think of any!!!!
Also mom- You told me to think of some 2014 Goals. Well... I
did. But I forgot to bring them.... So NEXT TIME!!!!
In a year I will be an American again..... and a student
again..... ewwww I will be expected to date..... and I won’t be wearing a tag.
How Horrfing. OH OH OH!!!!!! I did remember one goal. Buckle up.
In the year of 2014 would like to finish my mission.
BOOM BABY. Hahaha I got one thing solid. hahaha
I love you guys!!!! will hear from you SOON!!!!!!!
01/08/14
HI FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quick email this week!!!
First of all- I am alive!!! YAY!!!!!
Transfers happen tomorrow and Sorella Strong and I am
Staying here covering Florence and we are sooooooo excited! Yesterday we got 5
new investigators and really- we are having so much fun. Don’t get me wrong its
work- but it’s so fun.
Remember that one time when we were told to never talk to
strangers- ya thats ALL we do. And I love it.
hahaha Ok story about just our day yesterday which is pretty
much a summary of what we do every day ahaha
We were at the Train Station (basically looks like the
Hillsboro Airport) and I am buying more bus tickets and this man comes up to us
and asks us "Why do you believe in God?" So my first thought is-
uhhhhhh Why DON’T you believe in God? And then for about the next 20 minutes we
tell him about the Book of Mormon and How everything denotes there is a God. He
told us we should just start believing in ourselves cause FOR SURE we are real.
Anyway. We talk more to this man and he is from Lavia Thus speaks Lavian... Ya
I don’t speak that. And we asked him if we could bring him a Book of Mormon and
he says, "ya I live here in the piazza" Ok so where he told us is a park.....
So Tonight we are bringing a Book of Mormon to a man who literally lives under
a bridge. I’m excited. Right in the middle of this train station we asked him
to pray with us and ask God if he is real- So there we were! In the middle of
the Train Station, and prayed. Can’t wait to see what happens tonight.
THEN we go and we try to find a couple people who used to
take lessons a hundred years ago and we couldn’t find them so we start
talking to this man at the bus stop. Literally one of the best experiences I have
ever had. He just listened to us! That’s it! He asked the right questions! He
said we could come teach him and his wife! He gave us His number! AND THEN He
let us pray with him ON THE BUS. Yeah. That was awesome. I am SO excited to see
where he goes.
THEN we went to the other side of Florence to find this
couple we had met when we tried Caroling (totally works) and they let us come
into their apartment and we taught them about the Restoration and they want to
read the Book of Mormon and we asked them ,"Can we visit you again next
Sunday?" And they said "Can’t you come sooner?" bahahaha I LOVE
THEM! So Now we have 5 new investigators and we just couldn’t be more excited.
Obviously the first guys we will pass to the Elders cause Sisters don’t teach
un-married men. NOPE. and the whole Bridge thing seems complicated.....
Hahahaha
This Sunday was also very interesting.... Fast and testimony
meetings here and always THE BEST but this week it kinda turned into
confessionals for all the youth.... I am sure they were strengthened by each
other..... I just felt awkward.
I GOT MY BOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX TOTAL
MIRICLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO SO OS SO SO SO SOS OS
O SOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!! I love it!!!!! Especially the home made box that had dads name
written ALL over it with super glue just to top it off. It was a nice touch.
After I finally got it opened (So small task mind you) I WAS SO HAPPY!!!!!! I
LOVE the Pictures and the Thanksgiving notes the best :))))))))) SO
FUN!!!!! The Burts Bees, the Calendar, All the cute clothes (Which I am
wearing right now) CANDY (Nothing like American candy) SO MUCH FUN. I can’t
thank you enough. It really did save my sanity since I can’t shop anymore. Lol
Today we are going to Centro aka Downtown and eating at The
Hard Rock Cafe Florence :D SO FUN! Then touring Duomo anddddddddd yeah!
Remember that one time when I left for my mission saying I would buy a bag for
my stuff when i got there? Well it’s been 10 months now and I might ACTUALLY
buy a bag. With that money I don’t have. It’s gunna be great. Hahaha
I love you all so much!!! I will hear from you soon! Make
good choices!!! Don’t forget about me!!! I haven’t been gone that long...
RIGHT??? I will be home in less time than I have been out soooooooo NO
PROBLEMO.
I Love you!!!!
-Sorella Holloway
12/11/13
Ok FIRST THINGS FIRST. Tim is now the dancer and going with
a team to Hawaii.... And I am on a mission..... WHAT IS HAPPENING?????!!!!!!!!!
WHEN DID WE ENTER THE TWILIGHT ZONE AND SHAKE EVERYTHING UP??? It’s fine. I am
not overly jealous or anything. -___- WHAT IS THIS???
Second- I am so glad you got the box!!!!1 AND YEAH YOU
BETTER WAIT TILL CHRISTMAS cause I wrote a threating letter on top telling you
too. :) YAY!!!! I AM KINDA PART OF YOUR GUYS CHRISTMAS!!!!
Yeah not sure how that skype thing is going to work. All
internet points are closed- haven’t found members who will be home- not exactly
a lot of members to begin with.... BUT it will work out. Pray.
JARED IS SOOOOOOOO CUTE!!!!!!!!!! My goodness I can’t wait
to meet him. :))))) I am so excited for Kendra and Jay- How weird that they are
parents!!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!!!! BUT HEY! I will still get to meet Jared before he
is a year old!!! YAYYYYYY SO I will be there for his first birthday!!!!
CUTENESSSSSS
We can kinda measure my mission by Kate’s age cause on her
birthday I will be a little over a year on the mission- Nice timing Jenna!
So I had the best day of my life this week- pretty sure. Lol
8 of December 2013 hahaha John and his family were baptized 3 weeks ago and
this Sunday, he passed the sacrament.
OOOOOHHHHHHHHHMYYYYYYYYYYYGOOOODDDNESSSSSSSSSS and then get this- after the
sacrament the branch president asks John, Ines, Karla And Carla (Yes 2
Carla’s) to bear their testimonies as well- So I got to hear the
testimonies of 4 People that I have found, taught, baptized all in the past 6
weeks. NOTHING IS BETTER. I bawled for like a whole hour. Their testimonies
were soooooo perfect for the branch- And John said hahaha "I NEVER wanted
to be a Mormon and I never had any intentions of being baptized until I read
the Book of Mormon- now I am just as crazy as you guys! My whole family is
Catholic, but I never felt anything in that church. When they all were baptized
together I wouldn’t do it cause I wasn’t interested. But Now I know better. Now
I know God had a plan for me. He wanted me to do it right. He wanted me to be
baptized with my wife and my daughter. There has never been such a sweeter
feeling and I have never loved my family more knowing we are starting this new
life together"
Obviously... in Italian. I have never been so happy in my
life and I really mean that. I feel like I really am their sister and they are
my best friends! We are going to be spending Christmas with them so I will be
overly happy :))))
Another really cool thing that happened this week is that I
was on the bus with my companions and this women about 85 years old (No I am
not exaggerating) and she asks me "What does that tag mean- who are
you?" Hahaha I know that answer. So I told her who I was and that I am a
missionary- She then says "Are you Catholic" And I said no- I am a
Mormon, we are Christians too! hahahaha And then she said- "I knew you
weren't Catholic because you have a light in your eyes. (hahahaha) You have a
serenity and peace to your countenance and I can tell God is with you" And
then she just smiled at me Hahahaha I laughed for a while about that one but
HOW SWEET??? I love that woman. She made my whole month.
Other fun things that happened this week was yesterday we
had a Zone Conference with the Dibb’s and We had a lot of Pumping-Up and stuff
Hahaha We have an Italian missionary couple here and they made us a true
Italian Christmas lunch which was incredible and 6 courses in case you were
wondering Hahaha So that was way fun and we got all the down-low on how to be
safe during the holidays here hahaha Basically- Don’t go outside on new year’s
because apparently Italians throw out things out of windows.... out with the
old and in with the new... Literally. This includes Refrigerators, mattresses,
televisions........ should be interesting. Lol LOOK OUT
Also- Last week we went to Pisa again ( My comp is going
home soon so WE GOTTA!) and we bought some chocolates at the market cause we
are in Italy and ya just gotta!!!!!!!!!!!! Hahaha Anyyyyywayyyyyyyyy I started
eating them and it was really burning my mouth and throat!!!! Like really bad!!
I was like "What the heck is wrong with this chocolate!!!" I mean
they were really good but just burned!!! Well. They were Alcohol filled. So I
need to repent and learn how to read labels -____- Who would have thought on my
mission would be when I try Alcohol. Mamamia. But yeah and hopefully next P-Day
we go tour Sienna a little bit!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!
I love and have a happy two weeks leading up to Christmas!!!
I WUB EW!!!!!!!!
Buon Natale!!!!!!!!!!!!
12/03/13
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhh I HAVE A NEPHEW NAMED
JARED!!!!!!!! Kendra- WELL DONE!!!!!!!! It doesn’t even feel real to me but I
am so excited for you guys!!!! Please send pics!!!! Wow. Jared. GREAT name.
EEPPPP!!!!!! AND IT’S A HOLLOWAY!!!!!!!! WHATTTTTT?????????? Wooowwwww JAY YOU
ARE A DAD IS THAT FOR REAL??????????????????
Wow. I love you guys.
No big deal but 20 days till I see you.
Right now I have no idea how that will work, not a lot of
members here so I will probably be at an Internet point..... Awkward.
So Transfer came!! I am still in Florence BUTTTTT I have 2
new companions. That’s right folks- TWO!!!! Sorella Beutler and Sorella Strong.
Sorells Beutler is "Dying" aka Going home in TWO WEEKS.........
saddest thing in the world and then Sorella Strong is just younger than me in
the mission. SO FUN! One change that happened though is that now we are the
only Sorella in Florence soooooooo that’s crazy. We go to two branches every
Sunday........ and the are in the same place at the same time- one starts at 9
and the there starts at 9:30....... Haven’t quite figured that one out yet
BUTTTTTTTT BEST THING THAT’S HAPPENED IN MY LIFE.
Last Transfer we had 4 baptisms, which in case you are
wondering- doesn’t happen. ever. But in the words of Walt Disney, "It’s
kind of fun to do the impossible" hahahaha ANDDDDDDD Jhon (yes that is
spelt correctly) He was baptized 2 weeks ago and got the SACERDOZIO ON SUNDAY
WHICH MEANS THIS SUNDAY HE WILL PASS THE SACRAMENT AND WE ARE SO EXCITED AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
There really is nothing better than being a missionary.
Nothing. And now we just have to find more people to get baptized. No pressure.
The work here is booming from who knows what but we are all
pumped and excited. Christmas season is hard so it’s good we have a lot
of work to distract us. hahaha
We went to Pisa again today because we can MUAHAHAHHA and we
were just talking on the train- we have such charmed lives. I just love my
family and my family and my friends I can always turn to, and even if you all
died ( don’t you dare) I know that everything would still be ok because we are
together forever. What a blessing to know that and to help other people realize
that. There realize nothing is better. One Christmas away to help a family become
eternal is worth every ounce of sadness and loneliness. I am not to the point
where I would say I would do it again ahahaha But there is no doubt I am where
I need to be which is comforting to know. I hope you know I will be singing at
the top of my lungs Christmas morning so hopefully you can hear me :)
I am so thankful for my family. All I want for
Christmas is to see my family!!! I CANT WAITTTTTT!!!!!
I WILL FOR REALS SEE YOU SOON!!!!!
I LOVE YOU!!!!
Sarah
11/20/13
This week was obviously CRAY BUTTTTT this week is going to
even better because we have A FAMILY getting baptized this Saturday :)
This family will be seriously my best of friends for life, I CANT WAIT TO SEND
PICTURES- Heavenly Father loves me so much, and he just lets me watch all these
miracles happen in lessons and meet people who want to listen and its nothing I
have done, he just loves me! That’s it! And I couldn’t be happier!!!! Being a
missionary is so hard and SO GREAT! I LOVE IT!!!!
11/03/13
HELLO FAMILY!!!!!
Yeah funny that you say that cause our Area 70 over Europe
came yesterday! Anziano Jose Teixeira! It was SO GOOD! Literally one of the
best days of the mission for sure. He just kinda told us how to be better
missionaries which probably doesn't sound very interesting hahaha but it was
really cool and we all needed it! My favorite thing said yesterday was the
presidente was saying "When you go take your temple interview- what is the
easiest question? some are harder ya know- Are you honest with your dealing
with your fellow men or Do you feel worthy to enter into the house of our Lord?
Those are harder. But without fail, the easiest question is "Are you a
full tithe payer?"" hahaha I totally agree- it is! So then he just
pointed out that serving a mission is how we are paying tithing on our lives.
and then he asked us- Are you full tithe payers? WHOOP WHOOP! He is
brilliant. So cool. Lol
This week was full of surprises hahahaha Last Wednesday we
went and saw the David aka Michelangelo stuff and just holy cow- incredible. I
kinda forget how cool Italy is hahaha We don’t waste a single day and we take
it all in so it’s really cool :) Lots and lots of history everywhere we go like
I am afraid I am going to break something every turn I almost feel like I am
offensive to the ground when I wear shoes or something ITS WEIRD
FUNNY STORY: We went into a store last -day cause we saw
stickers, and we all know how I love my stickers right? So we go in hahaha And
guess what we see? "THE SECRET WORLD OF MORMONS" like a HUGE stack of
Dvds saying this with OUR TEMPLE in Salt Lake on the front. bahahaha We walked
into an Evangelic (Don’t know that in English) Store and ohhhh man we like awkwardly
but everything down and walked out.... Awkward. Nothing worse than getting
yelled at in Italian. It’s a whole new level.
NUMBER 2: We got a new handout for us missionaries
called "Handling Stress" hahah Yayyyyyyy So Of course I start
looking through it and one of the first things I read says
Journal Writing: If no one else understands you,
it feels nice to understand yourself......
Quality. Such Quality writing. I like read that in Stephens
sarcastic voice and laughed for the next 3 hours.
NUMBER 3: I found a Subway here......
That’s a thing.....
-____- Go Home Subway.
Anyway on a different note- I ate too much Gluten yet
again this week and am now living the Celiac Life- ITS GREAT. So recipes
of stuff I can eat would be cool. Apples and Lettuce are cutting it.
Am I losing weight? I BETTER BE. lol Anyway... Experiences experiences...
yayyyyy Heidi should educate me. haha This Doctor from Germany and I had a
nice long talk about it and he was great- but also not super motivating. Lol He
said " Oh that sucks you are serving in Italy"
Thanks Doc.
how much for that one?
When can we meet again?
:)
LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!! SEE YOU SOON!
10/30/13
I don’t have much time to write but I would just say
the best thing that happened this week is we gave 5 people baptismal dates so
they are all getting ready for baptism!! SUPER EXCITING!!!!! And one of those
people are actually ITALIAN which is a huge big deal hahaha
We are also preparing for a member of the seventy coming to
visit us next week and everyone is freaking out, Italy doesn't get visits like
often so EVERYONE knows about it and talks about it hahaha
FUNNY STORY that isn't super funny...... Hahaha I told you I
was a young woman’s councilor (How is that spelled? I will never know. (English
is hard) and so on Sunday, I taught Young Woman’s.... Then they said- hey will
you teach Gospel principles? so I did. And THEN third hour they said, hey, will
you give a 10 minutes talk? -___- Alright. THENNNNNNN They asked me to direct
the music. Lol SOooooooooooo I guess that’s how it works in Branches’. Lol So
that was a good time. Then we 9 Investigators come after church for this Lunch
together so I literally was taking for 7 hours straight. WOOHOO!!!!!!!! Yay for
Italians. hahaha
I did a little experiment the other day where I said
something without my hands... they didn't understand- tried again- still don’t
understand, So THEN I used my hands, and they understood. hahaha Hands are half
the language here. hahaha
Love you guys!!! SEE YOU SOON OVER SKYPE!
The Church is still true! I wouldn't be alive if it
wasn't!!! Lol LOVE YOU!!!!!
10/23/13
This week has obviously been crazyyyyyyyy. I moved. So this
new Apartment is INCREDABLE- well...... kinda Hahaha It’s on the Top Floor
(8th) and has a balcony where you can see all of Italy IS SO COOOLL!!!!!! but
like..... It doesn’t have a shower really Hahaha It has tile floor and then you
like hang a shower curtain... and then get in it and "shower" but it
has the water pressure of like a straw Hahaha. It’s great.
The train ride here only cost $50.... LAMEEEEEEE Hahahaha
but it was SO BEAUTIFUL! I basically saw all of North Italy will all its crazy
huge Vineyard and crazy hills and mountains it’s so cool!
Florence is INCREDABLE! Picture perfect Italy- Thin windy
roads with hecka old buildings- so fabulous. My companion told me they have had
2 mini earthquakes here soooo hopefull i missed them all and we just kinda have
crazy long lasting lightning storms that make the lights flicker and light up
the entire apartment at night bahaha Life is pretty cool
The stores here are SO PORTLAND hahaha Small with not much
inside. Actually I went into the grocery store the other day and ya know what I
saw? The head of pigs. Just sitting there with their eyes sewed shut and fuzy
and ya. That’s a thing. You best believe I gagged. A WHOLE lot. Sick.
The accent here is suppperrrrrrrrrr weird.
FOR EXAMPLE: Say Coca Cola. ...... ok so they pronounce it
Hoha Hola. Lol I would give another example but it’s all Italian and I am
trying to get better at separating the two. Lol It’s like really breathy and
weird sounding Hahaha I try.
The branch-ish thing here is super cool and what do you know
my first Sunday here I was called to be the Young Women’s First Counselor
ahahahaha Which I guess is a big deal cause usually I would be the president
but one of the members can do it now! Hahaha So Every other week I teach young
women’s and the off weeks I teach Gospel Principles! Hahaha Its really great, I
rather that then the spontaneous talks in church Hahaha FUN!!!
So that’s a little about Life in Florence!
I have noticed my knees are all jacked up and ya know why?
Cause we pray all the time!!! Hahaha I asked my collega about it and she just
laughed and just said "Well that’s what happens when you pray all
day" hahaha Yay missionary work!
Anyway I am very much learning more and more Happiness is
such a choice and you cant depend on the circumstances around you to just lift
you up cause that’s just not always gunna be super great- but choosing to be
happy and recognizing all the crap in the world but not dwelling
there, makes all the difference!
FUNNY STORIES!!!!!!
1) okkk so Guess who rides a bike now? THIS GIRL. Innnnn a
skirt. And Dresses..... Lol... So that’s fun kinda- not really hahahaha I flash
people all day long and I am trying to like be comfortable with it but
I can’t ever see that happening Hahaha Also We look like idiots
wearing helmets cause NOBODY wears a helmet in Italy EVER hahaha SO you can
always tell who the missionaries are. Also Lets think now how long it’s been
since I have ridden a bike...... It’s up in the 5-6 years range ok? hahaha
And back then, those were like good bikes... on pavement. HERE NOT SO MUCH. We
have old screechy bikes that sound like 100 nails on a chalkboard when you stop
hahahahaha ANDDDDD on cobblestone roads so just imagine now hahaha Ok ME- In a
skirt- Helmet- on a bike- on cobblestone basically hoping up and down.... that’s
a good time EVERYDAY ALL DAY hahahaha ALSO, to get to the church we have to
ride on the HIGHWAY with BIKES and our bikes are like KINDOF BIKES so my first
day here we like hop on and just join the mob of cars through
roundabouts ON A HIGHWAY! Ohhhhmygosh. hahahahaha My confidence on a bike is
NOT SUPER STRONG cause the second day or something we were riding on this
stupid thin path and what do you know- My bike like dies on me
and swerves left and I run into A STONE WALL. Sooooo My whole left side is
bruised. It’s pretty wonderful. The bleeding stopped. Bahahahha AHHHHH
Its amazing I am alive. But don’t worry mom, God is on my side!....
Right??? Just not my Left side.... Next time I will try to swerve to
the right.
2) Men are still creepy here and more forward in fact so now
I carry around chastity pamphlets and when they approach me I give them a
Chastity pamphlet and ask them to be baptized... it basically has the same
effect as pepper spray. :) I am learning tricks people!!!!
3) We taught a lesson the other day to a man named Bebe. Aka
(baybay)...... Guess how serious I could stay in THAT lesson. "And Behbeh,
I know (laughing) That Joseph Smith is a prophet (laughing) of God
and that (Laughing) His church has been restored." It was really awkward.
4) A lady we meet with had her phone go off in a lesson and she is like... 180 years old hahaha and it was a Rihanna ENGLISH song "Want you to make me feel, like I’m the only girl in the world!!!! Like I’m the only one....." Bahahaha Ya that was a good time. It suits her well.
I miss you all a ton and I love you too much! I CANNOT WAIT
TO SKYPE and see all your beautiful faces. LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!!!!!
I am one lucky girl to be here in Italy and to have the
Family I do!!! LOVE YOU!
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