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

Provo MTC - week 3!!

Grazie, babbo, as always, for the wonderful email! And, grazie Courtney and John for the letters! Seriously, those were the greatest things ever. They were exactly what I needed.

Seriously, y'all's emails & letters keep me sane. It is still pretty  hard here for me, but I'm much happier about everything. I'm not as stressed. I do get stressed a little bit at a time, but overall I just figure I'll try my best, and not worry about it. So I try to smile through everything, and find the good. Occasionally, I do still have doubts, like why it's taking me so long/why it's so hard to learn the language, but I know I'm just being too hard on myself, and expecting too much from myself. I basically want to be fluent in the language right now, but I guess that's not really realistic. Haha.

Also, I dunno if I told you, but remember how I was stressing about not having a father's blessing (okay, I never told you I was stressing, but I really felt like I needed/wanted one)? Well, after I read your email last week, then went to the Temple, I wasn't worried about it, and I've taken your "wee impression" as my father's blessing. It's the greatest greatest thing ever.

Oh, Happy Birthday Ben! His birthday`s August 21, I think. Same day as President Monson`s! Also, can I please get Adam`s mailing address (question mark - my question mark`s not working). I don`t have enough time to email him, and I wrote all the family last week, except for him. So, I want to write him.

But, holy cannoli, let me get started on stuff that happened this week! Our teacher, Fratello Bulloch was out of town until two days ago. So, we've had about 8 different substitute teachers - allow me to name them (ha!): Fratello Carrington, Newton, Pesci, Bulloch, Boynton, Acerson, Hatch, and Sorella Miller. Ma, va bene (it's all good). I love them all. And, wee side note: babbo, remember how I said I wanted to apply for BYU for when I come home? Well, if I get in, then I want to apply to be a teacher at the MTC! I love all the instructors so much, and it would be an awesome way to teach, keep up with my Italian, and feel the spirit, and so so much. It just seems like the greatest thing in the world to me. Ma (but), Adam, Fratello Newton won't be my "official" teacher much longer. I think he has a lot going on with school, so he won't be teaching a lot the next few months, but he said he might still sub for us. Che sad. He's my hardest teacher, but I do still enjoy his class. He pushes us. Which is a good thing... I guess. Hahaha.
 

And jeez, I'm going to miss David Frey by a couple of days! I leave Oct. 2! Che sad. And it's even sadder, cause the Armenian's are in my building! Where our classroom is, there are a bunch of different other languages being taught throughout the building - French, Italian, Armenian, Greek, Hungarian (yes, Elisabeth, be jealous). And that's just on our same floor. And, they only send Europeans to Greece, so the Greek's are all German, English (from England, haha), and there's one from Switzerland (?) I think. I'm not sure about the last one. But they're fun to talk to. And I see all the Armenian's all the time, I love them.

Well, all the older Sorelle and Anziani left on Tuesday - so sad! I love them. And, one of the Sorelle told me that they thought they were going to make me the new coordinating sister (ZL for sisters, kinda - except it`s not a companionship, just one sister). Well, she told me that, then all the other sorelle all agreed that they thought it would be me. It was just super sweet that they thought I would be ready and qualified for a position like that. Haha. I`m not the new coordinating sister, but still, I appreciated the compliment :)

Oh, then on Sunday, during Music & The Spoken Word, there was this wonderful solo artist singing with MoTab, and he had a phenomenal operatic voice. Then he started to sing a song. Nella Fantasia. I had never heard it until then, but it was so so spectacular. It almost made me cry. I swear, I think my soul is Italian or something, because anything Itaian just hits home for me. It`s just like my whole heart. I dunno, it was wonderful. Then the day before, in a workshop about prayer, the teacher started out with a song. MoTab singing with Andrea Boccelli, singing ``The Lord`s Prayer``. Amazing! Seriously. I love the church. I love Italian. So, when the two are combined, my heart just explodes. Can you imagine how I`m going to be at Christmas time, in Italy, as a missionary (my question mark won`t work for some reason). I`m pretty sure my heart will explode. Haha. I`m so excited. Sunday we took pictures with ALL the Italians - the departing missionaries, and us 3 week old missionaries. It`s probably my favorite picture I have thus far. I wish I could send it to you all. We`re holding the Italian flag and all :)

Oh! Crazy time now. Then we had the Sunday night devotional. I don`t remember his name, but he`s in charge of training all the MTC teachers around the world (I think that`s who he was). Anyway, long story short, he started telling a story of how he went to a lesson with 2 missionaries in Texas one evening, and how it was the best lesson he had ever been to. The famliy was baptized, and he showed a picture of the missionaries and the family. And who was one of those missionaries (question mark) - WILLIAM PEREZ! Creeping Things, Miami! I might have freaked out a bit. Haha, it was so cool. So Will, you are now famous at the MTC :) Then that night, our Spanish roommates were packing up. So sad, I love them so much. I miss them, but it`s a lot quieter now that they`re gone. Haha, and cleaner. We vacuumed and wiped off everything when they left. It`s so clean now, I love it :)

Then Monday all the italian missionaries got together for an unofficial Italian meeting - the departing sorelle and anziani (and our teachers) were to share with us one of the most important things they`ve learned, what they wish they would have done better, then they bore their testimonies. This has become a tradition for the Italian missionaries, so when we leave, we`ll do this for the younger missionaries who come in behind us. It`s crazy to think that in 3 weeks I`ll be the OLDER missionary, and the new Italian missionares will come in, and look up to me. Crazy. But, the unofficial italian meeting was SO so good. And the day before I read a scripture, and wanted to share it with anyone and everyone, and never had a chance to share it, so I got up at the end of the meeting and shared a little spiritual thought. It was D&C 31:3-5. SO good. I love that scripture. My favorite part of it is the last (ish) line: ``The laboror is worth his hire.`` Do your work, do your best, and that is enough for the Lord. Mi piace.

Then, quickly, because I`m already over on my time - Tuesday night devotional was Elder Neil L. Anderson of the 12. And I`ll just leave it at that :) Hahaha.

Love you all! Be good!

Ciao a tutti!

Love,

Sorella Willis

PS: can y`all send me a picture of Tanner (question mark). I have a picture of the whole family at Christmas time without before he was born, so can y`all take an awesome picture of Tanner, then print it out, and send it to me, per favore (question mark).

Provo MTC - week 2!

Babbo!

 

Grazie mille for the email! True story: you almost made me cry. The MTC has totally destroyed me. I cry/am on the verge of tears basically every day. Haha. But, I absolutely needed what you said.

Let me try to remember what I can, then I'll try to respond to whatever I can. Babbo, did you get my email/letter? I don't remember what I asked, but I asked a few questions (about returning some Italian books, because I have extras now. So, to return them to the bookstore, or send them home. Non so. Just let me know.)

But, before I forget: Miami family! I was walking around yesterday (Wednesday, when all the new missionaries come in), and I companionship stopped my colega and myself, to ask directions. I looked at him for a second, and I was just thinking "You look so familiar, where do I know you from?!" Then, I might have interrupted him mid sentence, and exploded, "You're from Miami!". Elder Fabiano! (?) He didn't remember me, but I didn't really expect him to. Ha, I just barely recognized who he was. But, I just thought it was awesome! 

 

Okay, let's see. Well, thank you Josue, babbo, Courtney, and the wonderful Chelsea Wiser for the letters (I might shout out to everyone who ever writes me... maybe. Haha). Mail really is so so wonderful. We went to the Temple last week. First of all, my colega's Temple recommend was cancelled because someone assigned another temple recommend under her number. So, we have to get that fixed, still. And then, as we walked into the Temple, a guy stopped and talked to us, and turns out he served in South Carolina. After talking to him, it turns out that he was companions with the Elder who baptized Anziano Hurlburt! (Anziano Hurlburt is the kid we met in SC. He's a convert of 1 1/2 years!) Small world!

Courtney, that's crazy that King served with Fratello Bulloch! I can't wait to talk to Bulloch about it - he's visiting family right now, and won't be back until Monday, but still, that's awesome!

 

And, Adam, yep! Fratello Newton is one of my teachers! ...I think. We've had about 7-8 different subs, but I think Fratelli Bulloch and Newton are our "official" teachers. But, there are so many awesome Italian teachers here. True story, I think Fratello Newton is my hardest teacher. The first day he taught, he made me cry. Ha, not really; HE didn't make me cry, but he asked me to teach something in Italian, and I just broke down, cause I didn't think I could do it. And he always speaks in Italian. So, I'm frustrated half the class, because I can't understand everything. I know he does it to push us, and to help us learn. And, he tells me all the time that he knows I can do it. He's super encouraging, I'm just super hard on myself. I'm pretty sure I'm his hardest student, because I'm so hard on myself. I'm sure he's tired of me telling him how frustrated I am. Ha, ma, va bene.

 

Dad, I LOVED the story you sent about Abby! That's so funny. I want to frame it! Haha. I love it.

Oh! And, on Sunday, Sister Wixon (General Primary President) spoke in Relief Society. It was SO good! Like, one of the best talks/devotionals I've heard since I've been at the  MTC.

 

Oh, and Kelsey! #1: There's an Anziano in my zone who reminds me of Evan Branson. ...true story, just as I wrote that, he walked right past me. Hahaha. #2, I sang in the choir the other day, and the chorister made an Abbot and Castillo reference! He was talking about mana, and how it means "What is it?", and he went on from there. I can't remember exactly what he said, but it was super funny. I was one of the few who laughed at the Abbot and Castillo reference. So, thank you my darling Kelsey! :)

 

So, basically we for gym everyday we go outside, and play sand volleyball. And we do it with all of our Italians. It's so much fun. It makes me think of Institute! Except, I think I like sand better... I can really go for the ball without worrying if I'm gonna hit the ground super hard.

 

OH my goodness! Okay, funny story time. The other day one of my Anziani, Anziano Dowling (our DL) was saying how he wanted to get his named enscribed onto his Italian scriptures, but he didn't know what to put. "Should I just put Anziano Dowling, or should I put Anziano [first name] Dowling?", and I told him that I have my full name with my title, but he had just said "Dowling", so that was in my mind as I started talking. So, I said, "Yeah, I have Sorella [my first name] Dowling! ....." Hahaha, it was so funny. My district exploded, as 19 year old boys would. Ha, but it's good. I love them.

 

I swanny, there's so much that I know I'm forgetting to write! 

 

Babbo, grazie for the pictures :) I love my Hermanas (the Sisters speaking Spanish who are our roommates), and they leave on Monday! So sad :( They're so funny. I'm gonna miss them. And now I'm super curious who else they're going to put in our room! Because, we still have just over 6 weeks left! So, we'll see. I think that's all that I have for now. I'm going to write letters today, anche, so if there's anything that I forget I'll try to include it.

 

Ciao a tutti, e vi voglio bene!

 

Sorella Willis