You know you're from FL, when you're IN Italy, and can't wait to get to Disney World (Epcot), and visit Italy :)

Ciao tutti!

Haha, the subject, just a silly thought I had last night. I LOVE it here in Italy, it's wonderful, but I also love Disney. And Epcot. And Italy in Epcot. So, it'll be fun going back there, and speaking to the little Italian people in Italian :)

Ma, this week was super good! So, every Wednesday we teach an free English class at the church, for non-members. And, I was super super nervous about it, last week. Ma, it turns out it's super laid back, and it was really fun. And, we're having a ward Halloween party coming up, and a bunch of these non-members (not investigators, just people learning english) are super excited to come to the Halloween party! Che awesome :)

Hm, it's hard, I'm trying to remember what all happened this week. Sunday was the Primary Program. SO cute! Ah, there's maybe 10-13 kids in Primary. It was adorable.

We did some Palazzi/porta/casa (aka, knocking on doors) the other day, and it was super fun! We didn't get any appointments out of it, but it was the first time I had done that, and I really enjoyed it. Ha. I dunno why. Our mission/mission pres. thought up a song, that another Elder here wrote out the lyrics to. It's Count Your Blessings, but they changed it to 'Count Rejections'. It's super good, cause even if you're getting rejections all day, at least you know you're working, and doing your part. Everyone has their agency, but if you've been rejected 100 times in a day, then you'll know that you tried to share the gospel 100 times, and that you've done your part. I'm getting okay with starting conversations (okay, not really, but I'm doing it more than I used to), but I'm just always lost after that part, a) because I'm not always/hardly ever sure what they said back to me, and b) because I'm trying to listen and understand them, I can't think of anything to respond to, because I'm not at that point where the language is second nature. I have to really really pause and think for a while about what to say/how to say it. Ma, I'm trying. So, we didn't get any appointments out of it, but we invited this young girl (22 - super nice!) to the ward halloween party, and she said she might come, and she might bring a friend! And, she was super sincere about it, too! So, I hope she comes :)

Then, the other day we were looking for some old investigators we found in the are book, and we passed by one house, that had this awesome fruit tree in the front, and we stopped to look at it. And there was an old man in the front yard working on it. We stopped to talk to him for a bit, and he was super super nice. We met his wife and his grandson/nephew/something. The tree is some Chinese tree, and it was fruit I had never seen/eaten before. But, he let us in the gate, and let us eat some of it! He knew we were walking the streets, hitting other houses, so he told us on our way home we can stop by, and he'll give us a bag with the fruit. So nice. But, on the way home we couldn't find the house again! We felt really bad, cause he was expecting us to stop by again. But, we found the house again, another day.

Then, another house we stopped at, there was this amazing music coming from it. Just straight sax. We stopped and listened, then a man came out, and we asked if it was a radio, or if someone was playing it, and he said it was his son-in-law. It was spectacular! We talked to this old man for a good while, and he was super nice. His grandson came out (10), and we talked to them for a while, they let us in their gate, and we played with their little dogs for a bit, and just talked. So, we didn't get return appointments from either of these people, but we started some really good relationships with them, and we want to go back, and maybe drop off some treats (pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, or something. Can y'all send me a recipe for that?). I love them, I want them to get baptized so bad! Ma, it's all in the Lord's time. Ha.

So, I don't remember what I've told you about my companion, but she's a doll. I love her. She's super smart, in everything. Her first 2 companions didn't speak English (only italian and spanish), so she had to learn the language quickly. Did I mention she's only been in Italy for 4 months? And, some of the Anziani came up to us yesterday (Zone conference) and told her that for the longest time they thought she was Italian, because she speaks it SO well/all the time. Bascically, she's a baller. Haha, we get along super well.

Oh! Adam, did Fratello Newton serve in Collegno? I think he did, a) because, I'm pretty sure he told us that in the MTC, and b) because in our apartment, there's a closet, and beside the closet is a measuring tape up against the wall, with a bunch of Anziani and their height, and there's a very tall Anziani Newton written up there... so I'm pretty sure he served here. Che pazzo! Haha. It was just crazy when I saw it, cause everything was super new to me, and I wasn't expecting to see anything familiar here in Italy, a place where I've never ever been, and yet, there's the name of my teacher. Haha.

Oh! Babbo! I didn't have an email from you this week? Super triste, I always look forward to your emails. I dunno if you knew or not, cause in the MTC you thought you had emailed one week, but something didn't work, so I'm just letting you know, in case you didn't. Ha.

It's still difficult for me to open my mouth. I can say hello to people, and introduce us as missionaries, but once they respond I'm not sure what they said/how to respond, and since I'm trying to understand what they said, I can't figure out what I want to say in Italian (because, it's not second nature for me yet, so I still have to really really think about what I'm gonna say/how to say it). So, it's still hard, but it's coming!

I'll try to send pictures next week. But, I haven't hardly taken any since I've been here, so it wouldn't be that many.

Love you all! The church is true! Keep me updated on what's on with everyone!
Love love love... I can't send enough love. Haha.
Ciao ciao!

Sorella Willis

Ma, I should get going! Love you all! Vi voglio bene!

(I'm pretty sure this is her first day in Italy, and the missionaries that she flew in with)

I'm in Italy!!!!!

Whaat?! It's crazy. I'm in Italy! Mamma mia. Ma, I guess I'll start with my last week of the MTC. Haha.

It was so amazing. Basically, I love my district so much. I'll send some pictures (if I can get it to work! I've never been able to send pictures well - the emails always don't get sent. Ha). Basically, I had the greatest MTC district, ever. Seriously, love those Anziani so much. I may have cried. And, it was weird seeing the other people on our floor leave, also (Armenians, Lithuanians, Greeks, etc.). Lots of pictures, lots of fun. I love the new Anziani e Sorelle, too. They're so fun. Anziano Hurlburt, oh that guy. Basically, he's like my brother, and... ah, he's just crazy. Okay, so he's a crazy person, who says a lot of stuff - and does it a lot without thinking. He's very blunt, and very very sarcastic. So, of course, I love him. Haha. But, he's not super emotional - he's just very Hurlburt-y. Haha. And basically, when the Rome missionaries were splitting from the Milan missionaries in the airport, was crazy. We all got mixed up, and some groups of missionaries were everywhere (I didn't even get to say goodbye to half of the Rome missionaries, because we all got mixed up), but Anz. Hurlburt was with my group. So, we all started saying goodbye, and I was already crying, of course, but then I got to him, and he just looks up at me with big wet, red eyes (on the verge of
tears) and says, 'Sorella Willis, don't you start...!', and basically him crying made me cry even more. He doesn't cry. So, I was insanely surprised that he was crying. But, he's grown to be like my brother,
and I love him so much. Ma, I looove my whole district so much. Okay, basta, enough, if I keep thinking/talking about this, I'm gonna get all sappy again. Haha.

Airplanes, Chicago to London I sat by a couple from Ireland, and they were cute. I talked to them a little bit about what I was doing as a missionary, and they didn't seem super interested, but I gave them a pass along card. Then, London to Milan I sat next to this adorable old man. Not super old, just gray hair old. He wasn't
Italian, he spoke some Italian, so I (tried) to start talking to him in Italian, and after a bit of talking, turns out he speaks Italian, Spanish, and English. I talked to him the whole flight, in and out with English and Italian. He studied for 11 years with the Catholic church, but now he's basically atheist. I don't remember why exactly. But, I talked to him a lot, and we talked about the church a good bit, and I told him a little bit about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon, and gave him a pass along card, and showed him that he could get a BOM for free by calling the number. When I was explaining the church/restoration/bom to him, he was pretty interested, because he said he had never heard much about the Mormon's before. He said he's atheist, so he wouldn't pray about it, but before we got off the plane, he said, 'I promise you, I will read this book.' What!? Che awesome! I just hope he really does, though. Haha. He seemed super sincere about it. So, once I got to Italy I was super pumped. We got there, met the Mission President/APs/Office missionaries/etc. Ate some pizza, listened to some awesome lectures about money/legality in Italy. I was basically fallling asleep through half of it, I was SO tired. Haha. Then, we went to the Duomo in Milano! I was so excited. We were just gonna go out prostelying, and try to place some LDM's (Libro di Mormon) or pass along cards. But, it's a lot harder than it seems. That high that I was on after talking to the man on the plane? Eh... gone. I opened my mouth ONE time out there, and that was to a RM sorella, who just got off her mission a few months ago (but, she's from Rome, so she was visiting the Milan area). And, even with that I asked one question, then didn't know where to go... I was stumped. So, I was super bummed for that. But, I try not to dwell on things like that, so I mostly got over it pretty quickly. I'll just try better next time.

So, the next day, we got our area and collega! So so excited. As you all know already, my area is Collegno (Torino area) my companion is Sorella Eaton! She's a doll, super tiny, and super awesome. And, Mission President actually told us that they're having some legal problems with the missionaries right now, and they can't move us anywhere, so I'll be in Collegno for at least 2 transfers. My first day in Italy we went to Ward Correlation, and the Ward mission leader served a mission Provo, so he speaks english pretty well. And, another fratello in the ward correlation meeting (Fratello Caruso, I think) also served a mission in Provo, but that was a while ago, I think. So, a few people can speak a little bit of english. Then, another day - okay, our General Conference is different than y'alls. Since we get it live, we watch the recorded Relief Society session on Saturday, then we watch y'alls Saturday morning session on Saturday evening. Then, Sunday we watch the Saturday afternoon session first, then we watch the Sunday morning session that evening. And we don't watch the Sunday evening session (because it's played from 10pm-midnight, I think). But, so we went to Saturday evening conference, and I asked if we could watch it in Italian (they have it both in English and in
Italian), but I wanted to watch in Italian, because I want to be able to understand the language better. And I'm not gonna do that by listening to English. So, I listened to all the sessions in Italian! ...I didn't understand much from them. But, I'm okay with that, because we get the Liahona in English, so I'm gonna read all the
talks. And, I did pick out some words in conference that lead to thoughts that lead to impressions that I wrote down. Not a ton, but a couple. Oh, basically, there's a song that I keep hearing. That I may or may not have made my theme song for my mission/for life. Haha. I don't think it's a hymn, I can't find it. But I heard it during Music & the Spoken word in the MTC, and they sang it at General Conference; I don't know what it's called, but I think the title would be: 'If The Way Be Full of Trial, Weary Not'. Basically, what I need to hear. Every day. And, it's pretty much stuck in my head all day everyday, so that's good. Haha. Because, it is very hard here. I never understood how missions were so hard and frustrating... but they are. Specifically for me, because I'm here in Italy, and the people are darling, I already love them so much, and the members are so wonderful (other missionaries have said that we have the best ward, because our members are very helpful with the missionary work), and I'm a missionary, and I have a desire and a duty to share the gospel with everyone... to talk with everyone... and I can't! Because, I don't know how to speak. Like the missionary in The Best Two Years, I didn't feel exactly like him. It's not that I can't understand, I can pick out words and figure out what's being talked about (sometimes. Not all the time), but I cannot speak for the life of me. It's so hard for me. I don't want to make mistakes with the language, I don't want to say something if I know i'm saying it wrong, so the majority of the time I don't say anything. Sometimes I talk myself into trying and talking, but I just get down because I'm just confusing myself, and I feel like I'm confusing others. It's difficult. Very difficult. But, I'm trying, and learning. But, I don't want this to be sad or whatnot. It's wonderful here, I have a spectacular companion, and the city is so adorable! It's great here! Funny story... my second or third day here, we slept in until about 10:15am! What?! Ha, my companion kicked her alarm clock onto the floor, and the battery knocked out, so it never went off that morning. She felt so bad. But, we've been visitng a lot of the members, introducing me to them/talking to them (because I haven't met a lot of people yet, cause it was conference weekend). We went to see a lady yesterday, and it's been pretty cool/cold lately, and I didn't bring anything for the cold, because I figured it would be warm for a little bit longer, and I could buy stuff here... but no. Haha. It's very autumn here. It's adorable. So, we went to see this lady, and she was saying how it's so cold, and how I must be freezing. So, she went back into her room, and came out with a jacket and scarves. She put the jacket on me, and my collega picked out a scarf for me. So nice. I love the scarf, I actually wore it all day. Hahaha. I wear scarves now, what? Weird. Ha.

Ma, okay, so yes, General Conference and the age change - what?! The first people I thought of were Elisabeth and Luke. That's crazy. 3 missionaries out? Mamma mia. Ma, let me try to send some pictures/remember anything else I want to say. Oh, also, it costs a lot of money to get packages here - the mission home has to pay a bunch for customs, and then they have to take that out of our personal money, and it gets really complicated. They asked us not to get packages if we can help it. So, thank you to everyone who wants to send me packages! But, a letter or something would be just as spectacular! Unless, a package is
really really necessary. Haha.

Okay, but I have to go now! I love you all! Be good. Elisabeth and Luke, keep me updated on the mission papers and everything. Congrats to Ben and Jess on the blessing of Tanner. And, I'll try to finish up/add pictures next week. Love y,all!

Sorella Willis

Provo MTC - week 8!!

Ciao tutti!

Babbo, I love that you mentioned the Martha in you (Martha and Mary) - I'm the exact same way! I need to work on that too - I would rather spend a day studying and reading using my time "wisely", then talking to people, and building relationships. I guess I need to find the happy medium between it all.

Okay, so what the heck? This is my last p-day in the MTC! whaat?! I'm leaving so soon! It's crazy! We got our travel plans a few days ago... ah! We have our In-Field training tomorrow... like, it's getting close. I'm headed out to ITALY! I can't wait/am super nervous. I'm not TERRIBLY nervous, but I'm sure as soon as I hit the ground in Italy I'll be a bit over-whelmed, because I won't be able to understand anything. Haha. But still, I can't wait :)

Okay, so the shout-outs, thank you Eddie Ardakoc, mom, and Courtney for the letters! :) And Aunt Lara for the email, I loved it! I can receive emails, but I can only respond by snail-mail letters :)

Okay, so I think I mentioned the other day, my black shoes broke... blast. Ha. So, they let me out of the MTC (!) to get some new shoes. I went to Modern Shoe, and bought some similar-to-Ecco shoes. I didn't like the Ecco ones they had. But, they were the durable - expensive :( - kind, so hopefully they'll last long! Then after, we were waiting for our van outside, and a) it was so nice! It's fall her in Utah (or, what FL knows as fall), and I love it! And b) we were just sitting waiting for our van to pick us up, and this one guy walked up and started talking to us. His name was Adam, big black guy, he's going to BYU, home from his mission from Panama for about a year, and he was super nice. I forgot how the rest of the world is, because I'm around missionaries/teachers all day everyday, so it was so wonderful talking to people besides missionaries! Haha.

Oh, Courtney, we had a workshop the other day, and our teacher served in Houston, TX, Spanish speaking about 3 years ago! I asked him if he knew you, he said the name Willis sounded familiar, but he didn't remember. I think his name was Kip (or Kap) Preston? ...or something like that. Haha, sorry.

Oh, so the other day one of our branch presidency was giving us our departure devotional, and he mentioned "God be with you till we meet again" as a district, and basically I started tearing up at the thought of that! Ha, what!? Those guys have become like my brothers, I love them so much. We're all writing a letter for each person in our district, and we're putting them in a big yellow envelope, and we're gonna pass them out before we jump on the planes, and read them then. I can't wait!

Oh, okay! #1, Adam, Cheboygan (I'm sure I way mis-spelled that), is that a city in Michigan? Anziano Hurlburt is from Cheboygan, Wisconson! I dunno if they're near or if they're the same, or what have you. Cheboygan's not a very common name for a city, so I was just wondering about it. Haha.

Also, HEY! I'll be calling on Tuesday! I fly out on Tuesday, so some time during one of my stops I'll call! I don't know what time it will be at, but I'll probably call dad's phone. Just FY-izzle.

Oh, and let me just tell you about this kid I met! Elder Olivier! Okay, he's from France, but his mom is Italian and his dad is German. He's going on a mission to Canada, Spanish speaking. So, he speaks English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish. He's a convert of 3 years, baptized his sister 2 years ago, his mom is taking the discussions, his parents are divorced, his dad is anti, and doesn't know he's on a mission yet, and he's studying Ancient languages (greek, chinese, latin) - what!? Basically the most ballin' kid I have ever met.

Okay, so my emails are filled with a bunch of random information. Sometimes I feel like I write the worst emails, because I'm always rushed for time (other missionaries need to use the computers!), and I never know what to write about. I hope they're not pointless letters, and people don't think, "Why in the world did she write that? ...that's completely irrelevant to us/her mission." That's how I feel I'm writing sometimes, maybe I won't feel as rushed out in the field, because it will only be me and my compaion.

I can't do pictures today - mi dispiace! (I'm sorry). Maybe later on today, or maybe when I email out in the field. We'll see. But, I do gotta go.

Vi voglio bene! Be good! The gospel is true - I know it and you all know that, so now let's do our part... whatever that part may be for you! :)

Be good! Have fun! It's getting time for the Holidays - what?! I'm so excited! It feels like a Florida Christmas here, already. Hahaha.

Di nuovo, vi voglio bene! (Again, I love you all).
Ciao!

Provo MTC - week 7!!

First of all, it's freezing! Every morning we wake up, and it's freezing outside. It gets warmer (sometimes) throughout the day, but it's regularly cold. I need a jacket. I might die in Italy. Haha.

Oh, and remember how we got new roommates the other day? Well... the other day was actually 3 weeks ago! They left this past Monday! It was sad, I love them. So, we got new roommates yesterday! And, mom, guess what? Two of them are serving in the Ohio Colombus Mission! Do you want them to look up anyone for you? :) Haha.

Thanks for the package family, and thanks Kaleb for the pictures, Elisabeth, Courtney, Adam, and Emma Cutchen for the letters! I love y'all! :)

So, this email will probably be all over the place, so I'll just start with yesterday! ...I was able to be a Host! So much fun! You know the people who take you from your car, and take you to get your books, your bedroom, and your classroom? I got to do that! And, I (hopefully) will be able to do it again, next week! It was fun, I hosted 2 Sisters: 1 from Lima, Peru going to California, and 1 from Nebraska going to Germany!

Oh, and basically, I love the Greeks. Haha, there are a bunch of people on our classroom floor, learning different languages. The Greek's are all Europeans (Germany, England, Sweden, and Scotland) - they're SO crazy, but I love them. Especially the Sisters, they're awesome. I kept seeing them throughout my hosting, so it was just super fun. The Greeks, the Armenians, and the Lithuanians are some of my favorite people here, on our floor :) And, I can say "Hello" in all 3 different languages, now! Haha.

Oh, and dad, those brownies you sent were gone within 2 days that we got them. The Anziani devoured them! Haha, so grazie :)

Oh! And then, I a Sister walked up to me the other day, and asked, "I dunno if you remember me, but..." then after I looked and her and realized who she was, I may have squealed,  dropped my book to the floor, and hugged her too dramatically. Haha. Rachel Wettingfeld from my FIRST year of EFY (2005 - A More Excellent Way!). She was awesome, she was one of my favorite people that year. She is from Kissimmee, FL, and Kelsey, knows Allan Strickland and their family! She's awesome, she's going to a visitor's center - I don't remember if it was SLC or not. Oh, then, I was walking around the cafeteria, and I walked passed one sister, and her nametag said, "Pielstick", so I did a double take, and went back and talked to her, and she is the sister of one of my EFY girls - Esther Pielstick! How awesome! Ah, I love the MTC :) Then Sunday, I gave a talk in Sacrament... in Italian (I couldn't find my talk for about 3-5 minutes... standing at the podium. Whoops!)! Sheri Dew came and spoke for Relief Society. Then we had a killer devotional about the Libro di Mormon. Sunday was spectacular!

Oh, and so, I feel super bad. Jess' birthday was back in August, wasn't it? I wished Ben and Courtney happy birthdays, but I never wished her one! Happy belated birthday, Jess! :)

Okay, also, so I think I may need glasses, soon. Che triste, I know. But, I have to squint when I look at the screens during devotionals, and for other things too. And squinting doesn't help. things just stay blurring. So sad! I dunno how bad it is/if I need to get my eyes checked. I don't want to. Haha, but we'll see how long I can go without them (is that a terrible idea? Whoops).

But, I have to go. I've got a lot to do today! Gotta go to the outside world to get more shoes, because my other black ones broke! Haha.

But, teaching's been awesome, lately. I love my teachers, and all that I learn here, and I especially love the Gospel! It's so so wonderful!

Oh, another crazy thought - where in the world does time go?! I have 12 days left! Not that I'm counting, I really am not (haha), but someone mentioned that the other day, and I just remembered it. That seems like such a short amount of time! I'll be in Italy in less than two weeks! What in the world!? My MTC time has just flown by. It's gonna be so sad/so exciting when I leave. I can't wait to get to Italy, but I love my district SO much! They're like my brothers, I may very well cry on our last day here. And my zone is awesome. And, the MTC's been my home for the past 8 weeks, so it's kinda very much my home. It's crazy. It'll be sad and happy.

Ma, this is probably super random. I gotta go.
Vi voglio bene! Everyone be good! Follow the prophet! Keep the commandments! Have fun! :)

Sorella Sara Willis

PS: I'll send pictures next time - it's not working for some reason.

Provo MTC - week 6!

First and foremost, PICTURES!!!!!!  : D

1 - Our first roommates! Myself, Hermana Abrica, Sorella Hanson, Hermana Servin, Hermana Wilson (Sarah Wilson... so close to Sara Willis! Haha), and in front is Hermana Quiros. I love them so much! I miss them, they were so much fun :)

2 - FABI! Her companion, Sister Anderson (I think), myself, Fabi-... Sister Chavarria, and my colega, Sorella Hanson.

3 - Fratello Newton! He's such a killer teacher, I'm sad he's not our teacher anymore (although, we still have some pretty sick teachers, now).

4 - Fratello Bulloch's last day teaching us! We love him so so so much!

I have more pictures, but I should probably use my time wisely, and write instead of just sending pictures!

Thanks mom and Courtney for the letters! :) And, thanks la mia famiglia, for the pictures! :) I looove them! So, besides those two, I got another letter this week... from President Wolfgramm (Ita-Mil Mission President!) It's not a personal letter, just like what to make sure you have on your carry-on, they want to us to have goals for our mission written out to give them when we get there, and that they're excited for us to get there... in 3 weeks! Holy cannoli, where did time go?! I'm already a month out on my mission, and I'm headed to ITALY in less than 3 weeks! My word, it's crazy. But, I'm so excited! I just need to step up my Italian language speaking. I'm really bad at SYL-ing (speak your language), still. I'm just so slow at getting out what I want to say, and I don't like being slow. Oh, blast it all. I'm trying, though.

So, this past week was crazy! Lots of drama, lots of emotions, lots of crazy. Last p-day, a lot of people in my district were frustrated, and people were getting offended by others, and it was all really stupid. So, I suggested each evening we all say what we love about one particular person... and it's so much fun! I love it. And guess whose turn it is tonight? ME! I'm so excited! Not to sound conceited or anything, but everyone (especially during these hard times on your mission) needs to hear why they're appreciated and loved. So, basically, I can't wait! :)

Oh! Side note, thought... I've been debating cutting my hair. Because, it's ALWAYS covering my nametag. I really really don't want to cut it, but it would be easier. So, I dunno. As of now, I'm not cutting it. But, if it keeps being an uber problem, I'll probably get it cut (here in the MTC, or out in the field? Elisabeth, should I still just go with, keep the luscious long hair at least until I'm in Italy, then possibly cut it?). Non lo so (I dunno).

Okay, so remember how we don't have Fratelli Newton or Bulloch anymore? Well, now we have Fratello Hatch and Garvin. Hatch is super chill and nice, and tells lots of/wonderful stories. Garvin is siiick (in the best way)! He was just hired, we're the first class he's ever taught. And he's probably the happiest, goofiest, funnest person in the whole wide world. Seriously, I wish y'all could meet him. Haha. Remember how Bulloch and Newton were the best teachers ever? Well, Fratello Garvin is giving them a run for their money! And, when him and Fratello Carrington teach us together, my word, it's the greatest class time ever! They're the best.

Oh, quick funny thing - only in the MTC: "I love you so much, I want to write you when you're gone! ...wait, what's your first name!?" Hahahaha.

Ooh, then yesterday the new Italiani came in! I haven't met them yet, but I'm excited to! :) Also, yesterday, in our lesson to Fratello Garvin, we taught about lo Spirito Santo, and and in the lesson, we sang! We sang "Let The Holy Spirit Guide" in Italian, it was so awesome. Have I mentioned I love singing? I've sung in the choir every week, except for one, because they were too full - they had too many people.

Um, but people are waiting for me to get off the computer, and I've probably been on for too long. Ma, I love this gospel! I'm amazed at how much I learn every day, and how much my district teaches me - I love them :) Isn't it wonderful to know that any problem that we're having, or any question that we have, we can go to the scriptures, or turn to the Lord in prayer, and we can receive an answer? It's so wonderful! I love teaching, especially when I do it right; by the Spirit! I can't wait until I can just teach by the Spirit, and speak well in the Italian language, and just invite everyone to come unto Christ! I can't wait to meet the people in Italia! Ah, I'm excited. But, I really ought to go. Sorry, this is a random, short email this week.

Vi voglio bene! Be good!

Sorella Sara Willis

Provo MTC - week 5!!

Salve! Buon giorno! Ciao! Buon di! (just a bunch of ways to say "Hi" in Italian. Haha)

How is everyone doing? Thanks for the email, babbo, as always :) Grazie Courtney and John Frey for the DearElders! Always good advice from those two RM's (anyone else who wants to write me/send me mission/any advice/thoughts/anything, do write! I love to hear from everyone!)

 

Crazy story! Today was p-day, and we went to the Temple. Well, my colega (companion) and I decided we wanted to do sealings, instead of an endowment session. So, we headed up, and were waiting, and we were waiting with an adorable elderly couple. Then after a second the lady said, "Don't I know you? You're Ray Willis' daughter, right?" It was Mike LaFontaine's parents! Del and Denell (?) LaFontaine! Crazy crazy stuff. We talked to them for a bit, then did a sealing session with them, doing their family names. It was so awesome :) And, I hadn't ever done sealings before, so it was just super wonderful! :)

 

So, adesso (now) my district has two new teachers - Fratello Hatch (we stole him from another class), and Fratell Garvin (freshly hired). They're so good, I love them both. But, we just got them this past Tuesday, I think. We finished up with Fratello Newton last week, and Fratello Bulloch on Monday. The teachers do this thing called "Coaching Missionaries", where they pull companionships/individual missionaries aside, and see how they're doing, ask if they need help with anything/etc. So, Fratello Bulloch did that with us one of his last days, and when he got to me, pulled me aside, and before he asked how I was doing/anything, he just said, "Wow." So, I asked "Wow, what?", and he said, "Just the progress you've made since you've been here is amazing. I don't know if you see it, but you've come a long way." (or something along those lines) Basically, he had me crying within the first minute being in there. Haha. I swear, I cry ALL the time now! I'm sure my district/zone knows me as the cryer (crier?). But, he's just the most uplifting, inspiring teacher EVER. He's so sick, I love him. Then for one of our last class hours with him, it was culture time/story time/Bulloch's mission picture time. SO good! (Sister Knickerbocker... I say "So good" all the time now! Woops. Haha) It just got us super excited to get to Italy! We are all so pumped to go. Ma (but), I have another month here in the MTC for a reason. I really really need to work on SYL-ing (Speaking Your Language). I don't do that very well. At all. I don't like to waste people's time, and speak slowly, just to say something wrong... I know, it's my pride getting in the way. I just need to suck it up, and make mistakes. Something our new teacher (Fratello Garvin) told me was, to wake up and think "What kind of mistakes can I make today?", not in a sinful way, of course, but in a learning from our mistakes kind of way. And, when he told me that, it just made me super happy! I dunno, maybe I'm weird. But it did. Haha.

 

Next story! My colega and I were preparing for a new investigator we would be teaching, and we were just not in sync. She was aggrivated, I was aggrivated that she was aggrivated, and nothing was working. Well, Fratello Hatch walked in, and told us that we were supposed to be doing weekly planning/comp. inventory, and to work on our lesson later. So we did. And, it was rough at first. But, by the end of it (comp. inventory) everything was out in the open, we were happy again, and we were able to prep a ballin' lesson, and then teach it pretty well (I think). Just goes to show that weekly planning/comp. inventory are so very inspired!

Then later we had a workshop, about Baptism. Throughout the whole of the workshop, I loved it, and thought it was great, but I hadn't really learned anything/felt super inspired. Then at the end, he said, "Write down your thoughts of your own baptism." And, so I started writing, and as a quick summary, I wrote, "I don't remember much about my baptism. I didn't understand everything when I got baptized, I just knew that it was the right thing to do, and that it was what Heavenly Father wanted me to do." And then, inspiration! The same is true for investigators. They will not know/understand everything - if they waited for that, they would never get baptized! We can never know/fully understand everything. But so long as they know that it's the right thing to do, and that it's what their Heavenly Father wants them to do, then they should have nothing to be worried/scared of.

 

So, word on the street is we can send pictures from MTC computers now, but I don't have my cord today. I'll try to remember next week. Have I told you about my new roommates? I love them. Sister Young, Sister Johnson, and Sister Vallejo (Vallejas...? Non so). They're so wonderful. My previous Spanish roommates were the best, and I love them so much, but they were very fun, easy going, not exactly obedient to rules (lights out, etc.) Ma, va bene (but, it's all good). I love them so much. But, these new roommates are so good. They're so obedient, they have the lights off before lights out. I just love them. They're going to California and Arizona, I think. All English speaking.

 

Oh! Then, one night, some adorable girl came into our class looking for a specific teacher who served in her home ward... she was from Italy! She's going to Canada on her mission! We talked with her, and I just love her so much. She's so nice, and fun. If all Italians are like her, I cannot wait to get there! And she was from an area in the Milan mission! And, her companion is super sweet, too. I think her comp. is Tongan. She's legit. They're a power compaionship. Ma, anyway, my colega and I get two contacts every day (we bear our testimonies twice a day, to random people we stop, in Italian), and she (the Italian) was one of our contacts that day. And, I was so so super excited, because when I finished, she didn't have any critique! I asked her, and I didn't say anything wrong/mispronounce anything! Ah, so so good :)

 

Crazy thought, I'VE BEEN HERE FOR A MONTH! Che cosa!? Even crazier thought: I'll be in Italy in less than a month! Oy vey. I'm so excited, and so nervous at the same time!

 

We had fast sunday last sunday, wonderful of course. I bore my testimony last fast Sunday (my FIRST sunday here) in Italian, and I decided that since I had done it my first Sunday, I couldn't not bear it on my last fast sunday in the MTC, so I had decided to do it. And I did. I was the first person up! (Cosa? I'm NEVER the first person up to bear my testimony... in anything!) Basically, I love bearing my testimony, especially in Italian. It's so fun :)

 

Crazy (fast) story time! My colega and I were going to teach our Anziani (elders) as progressing investigators. My colega already wasn't fond of the idea (and I wasn't really either), but we went a long and did it. Then, just before we went in, he said that he and the other Anziani would be observing us. That really set off my colega, and she kep saying she didn't want to do it. So, we went in, and she didn't say a word. So, I did a lot of the talking at first. But, the Anziano we were teaching had lived in Italy for two years, so he was basically fluent. So, he was super hard on us, and I was just getting frustrated because he was being tough, and my colega wouldn't say anything, and I was just getting beaten down... well, eventually they realized that nothing was working, so they said, "Domani?" (Tomorrow?), and I said sure, and my colega burst out of there, and ran down the stairs and just started crying. She was crazy upset, I was upset, and of course I started crying, because we were both just super frustrated, and we cried off and on for about an hour. Worst teaching experience, ever. I was so disappointed with myself after that. Then, Fratello Hatch showed us a video of the Adulterous Woman... haha, he had a good reason. Near the end, when the Savior says "Where are thine accusers/those who codemn thee?", then he says, "Neither do I condemn thee." When we mess up, we're not ruined forever. We can get up, change our ways, and start working on becoming better. So good. I love Fratello Hatch.

 

Oh! Babbo! So, we were watching a talk by Elder Holland called "The Miracle of a Mission", and halfway through the talk we stopped and just talked about what we had learned thus far, and someone brought up the topic of deceased family members, and as we were talking about it, I just thought of Grandma and Grandpa Willis - and how I knew that they were proud of me for serving a mission. I felt their love, and felt them smiling down on me, and yes... I started crying. It was just one of the nicest experiences ever.

Well, I'm over on my time, again. Jeez, I wish I had more time to email! Agh, oh well. There's so much more I need to write, but I don't have time. Ugh. Va bene.

 

Vi voglio bene! Be good! Go to church! Keep the commandments! Be obedient! Y'all are the best!

 

- Sorella Sara Willis

Provo MTC - week 4!!

Ciao a tutti!

 

First of all, let me apologize. I just realized that most, if not all, of my emails have been me whining over and over again. Yes,  it's hard, but I'm a Willis. I need to suck it up. Haha. So, to everyone who has been folloing my emails, I'm sorry. 

 

Second of all, babbo, or someone, can y'all send me a contact info book, thing? I can get just a regular notebook, and have people sign it, but I would prefer one that's alphabetized, so that it's easier. So, if I could get a good sized one, per favore. One that could fit 18 months of people into :) Grazie!

 

Third, Courtney or Elisabeth, can y'all find me a workout tshirt, that's kinda fitted? I have all my zillions of tshirts, and I wear them when I go outside and play volleyball every day, and so now I'm getting a killer farmers tan line on my arms (killer in a bad way). 

 

Aunt Lara, thank you for the package! I sent y'all a letter! But, I got the package last week the day after p-day, so I wasn't able to write y'all back until today. Sorry it took so long, I promise I wanted to write you back as soon as I could! :)

 

Ben and Jess, I'm SO excited that y'all are planning for the Temple in September! I just wish I could be there. Che triste (how sad). Ma, va bene (but, it's all good). 

 

Adam, what's all this? She came with us to breakfast at Kneaders... I think I really liked her. Go for it! Ma, jeez, everything can't happen when I'm gone! Ben and Jess getting sealed, Adam getting serious with a girl... and apparently, Kaleb said y'all are going to Harkers Island for Thanksgiving... what?! So much is happening! My word, people. When I get home is the family going to be twice as big, with marriages and babies? Holy cannoli. That would be sad and awesome all at once :) Haha. 

 

Babbo, sorry about the complain-y letter I sent y 'all. True story: I'm a punk, and I need to worry about myself, and not about anyone else. I can't control what my companion/district/zone does, I can only control what I do. I've been studying charity A LOT lately. That's something I need to work on a lot. And, there's so much I've learned just in studying in for a couple of days. That I need to do better with myself, things about the Atonement - it's just wonderful! I love studying.

 

My colega (companion) and I have been meshing well lately. We used to not be able to plan lessons - which made for not awesome lessons. But, now we're planning better together, and teaching much better together. It's awesome to see the progression and the groweth that comes from work, and trusting in the Lord.

Okay, when I write my emails to y'all, I go by what I write in my journal, so it might be super jumbled, and random. Ma (but), so Fratello Bulloch is the greatest teacher, ever. I love him. But, apparently he won't be our teacher in a couple weeks, when the new Italians come in. Which is good for them, if I were starting new again in the MTC, I would absolutely want an amazing teacher like Fratello Bulloch to start us off. So, we had ANOTHER teacher teach us one day - Fratello Taylor. He's awesome. His brother, just got home from his mission from Barcelona Spain a month ago, so I thought maybe he might know Marcos Krasno. Ma (but), he didn't know. Ha. But, Fratello Taylor is awesome, too. I'm kinda keeping a tab on how many different teachers we've had, as a district (because of the confusion at the beginning). I think we're on 10 now. We also have a brand new teacher who sat in on one of our classes the other day, and he'll most likely be teaching our class. His name is Fratello Garvin. He's awesome too. I love them all! They're all so so great. They just make me want to come home from my mission, and work at the MTC :)

 

OH my word! Okay, quick story time. "Elf" moment. I was in the bathroom. And there was someone brushing their teeth. Then they started humming "High On The Mountain Top"... and after I while, it just got stuck in my head, and for a second or so I started humming a long/harmonizing... then I stopped, and remembered the scene in "Elf" where Buddy does that to Zoe Deschanel, and I almost busted up laughing. I dunno how funny this is to a reader, but in real life it was hilarious!

 

I watched the "Character of Christ" on Sunday. Bombest talk ever! Seriously, the talks they show here at the MTC are so so good. It's amazing. That talk was what made me want to study Charity & Love.

I sat with some elders the other day, and got to know them. They were going to Canada... and one was named Elder Willis! But, no relation. Haha. But, I love meeting new missionaries, and getting to know all these different people. They're wonderful :)

 

Mom, did I tell you that my Branch President's wife is from Colombus, Ohio? I told her you served your mission there, but she said she was out at school the time you served there. But, still. She's awesome.

Oh! Then we had TRC on monday. Usually, I'm not fond of TRC, because I never really know what I'm doing. Ma (but), we went on Monday. And it went SO well! I loved it! We taught a girl who just got home from her mission to Milan(!) not long ago. Then, we taught an older man who was so wonderful. I was just super smiley when we were done with TRC, and it was such a wonderful experience. And, the mission field is just going to be like that 10x, I'm sure! Yes, there will be hard times, but I'll be able to focus all of my time to finding and teaching others. Che wonderful! True story: the girl that we taught, Fratello Newton was her ZL in the mission! How crazy.

 

Oh, also, that morning... the fire alarm went off! Not a drill, either. After a while we started smelling smoke. Then after 20 minutes of waiting outside, we were able to go back in. Someone had burned a bag of popcorn. Haha!  

 

And then! The next morning, I was waiting in line for breakfast, and I kept seeing this one elder behind me who looked super familiar. Eventually, I saw his name tag, and I knew I knew him, so I went back and talked to him. Elder Roth! I never really got to know him very well, but his mom (Sister Roth) taught institute during the summer! Che awesome! I love finding people from Florida, especially from Jacksonville :)

Also, yesterday was Fratello Newton's last day teaching us (Adam's friend). Che triste (how sad). I think he's too busy with school right now. He said he might sub, but he won't be our official teacher anymore. He's an awesome teacher, I'm sad he's leaving. 

 

There's just so much that goes on here, I know my thoughts are crazy jumbled. Sorry! But, it's wonderful. Again, I'm sorry my previous emails/letters have been so whiny. I have no reason to whine! I'm in one of the most spiritual places in the world, with no outside influence, and I'm able to focus all my time on learning, growing, bettering myself, and preparing to share the gospel with others. How in the world can I be whining? I'm such a punk. (That's something I'm known for now. I tell everyone [mostly just a couple elders] "Don't be a punk." all the time. So, that's kinda my phrase. They make fun of me.)

 

Ma, che triste (but, how sad), one of my favorite Italian elders went home today! I won't mention names, but he needed to work some things out. He was awesome. He's going to work on all that he needs to, then come back out as soon as he can. I'm gonna miss that kid, though. He became one of my good friends here. But, whatever he needs to do to become the best missionary he can be! :)

 

I'm trying to think of whatever else I want to say.

Thank you Kaleb, so much, for the letter! I love it! That's awesome that Clay's your teacher! And, thanks, Megan and Joe for the invite! I love how y'all put all the pictures together :)

 

Well, I'm really running out of time. Anziano Hurlburt told me to give him a shout-out (Daniel from SC, going to Rome). He's such a goof, I love him. He's super blunt and sarcastic sometimes, but that's just what makes him him. I love that kid.

 

La mia famiglia, thanks for being the best family ever! Thanks for helping me make good choices throughout my life! I've been so blessed, and I've never even realized it.

 

I know I never bore my testimony much back home, but I want anyone who reads this to know that I know that Jesus Chirst is our Savior, and we can rely on him for anything! I know that, because I've had to do it so many times already, in my short (SHORT) month here! I'm learning what trust and faith really are. It's hard, but it's such a great learning experience for me.

 

Vi voglio bene!

Sorella Sara Willis