Hello everyone!
So in case you all didn't notice yet, it is October. When did that happen?
Haha.. Okay, so last Monday was a try my patience kind of day. I was
trying really hard to have a good attitude about running all over the
place and saying goodbye to people. But, I also didn't like not having
even a whole hour to email people. That is too short for me! So, I'm
sorry that I either didn't respond or the emails were really short. I
literally typed as fast as I could. Anyways, it was pouring down rain
all Monday morning so I was wet for the entire day which was not fun.
Then we went paint balling and I didn't want to play, so I watched in
the cold in my wet clothes. But I am glad I didn't play. Anyways,
after that we went to the clarks to teach Destiny. We taught her the
gospel of Jesus Christ and we extended a baptism date for Oct 31. She
accepted, so we are very excited for her. I absolutely adore Destiny!
She is amazing!
Then on Tuesday, we had our last district DDM. I was asked to do the
Addestramento or the lesson and I talked about patience. My favorite
quote was from Elder Ucthdorf's talk Continue in Patience and it says
how just like the lord is patient with us when we make mistakes, we
need to be patient with the people we serve. We shouldn't ever give up
on anyone and that includes ourselves.
Also, it rained again on Tuesday. And Wednesday and Thursday, and
Friday. Also, does anyone know how fast 160 km/hr is in mph?
On Wednesday, we literally ran around town like chickens with our
heads cut off saying goodbye to everyone. I think I walked the most I
ever have. We still didn't get to everyone which was sad for Sorella
Defranchi. We ran an errand in the morning, the skies were all clear,
and we run home to go to the restroom. We enter the building, go up
the elevator, and by the time we get up to the second floor which is
technically the third floor, it is literally pouring outside. I have
no idea what happened, but it was insane. Then we had a lesson with
both Angela's and Jennifer. I love the rain when I am inside or when I
am dressed in proper clothing. I really need to buy a rain coat.
Hopefully I can find one for a good deal that is good quality as well.
Thursday was transfer day, so we took Sorella Defranchi to the train
station that morning and we met up with the other Sorelle there who
were going to be my companions for the day. I was in a trio with
Sorella Thorpe(the STL) and Sorella Battezato. It was really fun. Our
lesson cancelled on us because of the rain. You would think everybody
is made out of sugar here or something. Then, we went home to eat
breakfast and we went to pick up my permesso. It is a pretty cool card
especially because it allows me to stay in Italy. And I love Italy.
Haha.. I look like a ghost on it though. :p Then we went to pick up
all of our new companions. The anziani told the Ragusa Sorelle not to
go home because it was going to take longer than the time limits in
which President wanted us to be traveling, so they stayed the night
with us and came to English course. Then after English course, we had
a lovely experience in a freak storm that I would rather not remember.
Welcome to Catania Sorella Decker. :)
Friday we had weekly planning. And it was tiring and very long because
I had to give Sorella Decker the whole rundown on every person we
teach. But it is super fun having a new companion because there is a
new perspective that you don't usually have. I feel like when you have
been in an area for a while, you kind of get stuck in a rut so a fresh
perspective is amazing. I also love Sorella Decker. We have so much in
common. :) She loves anchors and nautical stuff like I do. Haha.. But
a little more about her. She is from near Seattle, WA. She is studying
psychology and wants to be a marriage and family therapist. She goes
home in December which is so soon!! I guess the next transfer after
this one is 4 weeks long. That makes me really curious as to how
transfer calls will work out. Either I will leave in 6 weeks, we will
be blown out, or I will be stuck in Catania for 5 transfers or 7.5
months. Praying that the last one doesn't happen. As much as I love
Catania.. I would go crazy! Anyways, Sorella Decker loves to bake and
cook. And she is very sweet. We have a lot of cool things happening
around here, so the next 6 weeks will be very exciting. :)
Then on Saturday, we met a referral from Jennifer's ex
boyfriend/father of her boys. She lives in the same apartment building
as Jennifer and she is also from Nigeria. She is literally the coolest
and she has a really strong belief in God and in Jesus Christ. We met
her before, but now she is officially a new investigator. We are so
excited. :) She also agreed to come watch general conference with
Jennifer. Unfortunately, she didn't end up coming... But, we do have
another appointment with her on Tuesday. It is like a built in member
present lesson as Jennifer lives right next door. :) Her name is Ann.
I might have talked about her before. I can't remember.
General conference was absolutely phenomenal. I felt like on Saturday
the theme was how we need to keep the gospel simple and how each of us
individually can live the gospel more fully by asking how we can
better ourselves by using the atonement. It was really great, and I
learned a lot. Also, women's session was boss. I think that was the
first time in a long time where they broke our boxes. (That is an
Italian phrase for correcting the things we think we can get away
with, but that shouldn't be happening.) It was amazing. Since this
letter would be way too long if I mentioned everything I liked, I will
say my favorite talk from each session except for Sunday afternoon
because I haven't seen it yet. :) I also totally called Elder Rasband.
Women's Conference-obviously Linda S. Reeves, but I loved President
Uchtdorf's talk
Saturday morning-Neill F. Marriott
Priesthood-I didn't get to watch the last 3 talks, but I LOVED Neil L.
Anderson's
Saturday afternoon-Robert D. Hales (I guess everybody liked this one)
Sunday morning- Russell M. Nelson
I am so excited to go back and read all of the talks again. I read the
women's session ones, and they were even more phenomenal. Sometimes I
feel like general conference talks are too mind blowing to comprehend
fully the first time. But, so so good.
I was also a bit saddened by how hard of a time President Monson had
on Sunday morning. Just from being on my mission, I have such an
appreciation for him and for all of the general authorities. They
truly are men called of God, and I enjoyed his talk about how Jesus
Christ is the light and how we all have lights that we need to let
shine. I am grateful for President Monson's service and I know that he
is God's prophet on the earth today.
Well, this week was crazy. Training a city is a bit stressful as I am
responsible for getting us where we need to go and who and when we go
and see, and calling and confirming all the appointments. Ahh!
Thankfully, Sorella Decker is always more than willing to help. I
definitely need it. Anziano Pope said I looked really tired on Sunday
in between sessions of conference. I didn't feel that tired, but I
must have looked it.
Oh, and also... Right now, we have 4 investigators with a baptism date
in the next transfer. We are praying for all of them to receive the
confirmation they need that this church is truly the gospel of Jesus
Christ restored to the earth. This week was bomb as far as people
accepting bap dates! Woohoo!
I hope you all have a wonderful week! Vi voglio bene!
Sorella Flansberg
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