February 24, 2010 Ciao Ciao

Ciao famiglie, ammicci, fratelli e sorelle,

This week I have been sick. I have had something like bronchitis. A really deep chest cough . I kept working all week except for one night when I was just so miserable we had to go in early. Yesterday we were on our way home and I had a coughing attack where I couldnt really breath, and it just seemed like it wasnt getting any better, so I called Sorella Taranto and she got me on the phone with the mission Dr. who emailed me a perscription for some antibiotics that I went and picked up last night from the Farmacia. Today I will lay low, and hope to be cured to work tomorrow. This week , some cool stuff happened.

We had an investigator in church!! Fabiana, our 17 year old we found a few weeks ago. We are hoping that the lesson on Baptisms for the Dead, and the 3 Kingdoms of Glory in sunday school wasnt too overwhelming for her. We are excited, and have another appointment with her this week, so we'll see. Its exciting because she is young, and has never really even been sure there is a God or not, so being able to teach her from Ground Zero, is pretty sweet. She is a sweet girl. .. I love her !!!

This week we had interviews with President, he came to our apartments and did them. He is such a loving man, and I always feel like I really am doing SOMETHING, whenever I talk to him. He has a way of making you feel appreciated. We talked about finding joy and satisfaction in service. I've been really touched lately as I have read about all of the amazing Book of Mormon missionaries, and how even they had moments where they felt like there was no hope for a certain city they were preaching in. And then, in the moment right before they were getting ready to turn back, the Lord comforted them. I know that so much of what I am learning here, is learning to rely on the Lord. I talked about this with President, and told him how never before in my life have I had such difficult experiences. I have never felt Satan working on me so hard. It takes so much, to not get discouraged, and simply say to the Lord that I cannot do this on my own. He talked about how its not just in these moments on the mission that this lesson of "reliance" on the Lord will be useful, but for the rest of my life. I know that as long as I have the committment to love people, the Lord will be pleased with my service. I am grateful for these experiences, because I know they are strengthening my testimony. I dont go through half of what the people in the Book of Mormon went through in order to share the gospel. Abinidi was screaming repentance to the people as he was being bound and cast into flames. I know that as long as we are never ashamed to share the precious knowledge we have, the Lord will bless us.

The weather had been really feeling like spring lately. We have definitely reached short sleeve weather, but the night time still gets a little bit cold. Of course everyone here still thinks its freezing, but Im sorry, no matter how hard I try to get myself to blend in and wear a jacket, hat and a scarf like my fellow Sicilians, sometimes I've just got to say no! Its literally 70 degrees people!!

We had a pretty bold lesson with Paola the other day. We read Alma 22 together, and talked about how we have to be willing to give all of our sins away, in order to experience the joy the Lord has in store for us when we obey. We invited her to be baptized and she declined. I love her so much, and I always go home and cry, because I know how much the Lord loves her, and wants her to just make the choice to move forward and make the progress that she was a few months ago. She had almost quit smoking, she was coming to church every week, and was regularly reading the scriptures and praying. I dont know what has happened, but lately she just isn't progressing, and she is so unhappy. She is smoking more and more, and not reading the Book of Mormon. Its so true that when we try the hardest we can to be obedient to the commandments, we are happy. I just love that woman.

We are still trying to talk to everyone, and teach people right when we find them. We're not shy about asking people for their phone numbers or address, so we do have a pretty constant solid list of investigators, it just seems rare that we can get that 1st appointment, let alone get them to progress. Then it seems that when we finally find someone on the street, we feel the spirit so strong as we are teaching them, they listen to us and seem interested, we can just never get a phone number!! Haha, life.

I hope that everything is alright at home. I love you all,

-Sorella Miller

Charlotte And Her Baby Boy McConkie Born Feb. 15 , 10 Picture probably made her a little

Homesick! February 17, 2010

holes in my boots...

Ciao Famiglia,

Char had her baby!! That is so exciting! Was that picture taken right after she had him?? She looks great!

Valentines Day as a sister missionary is... lame!!! can I just say that?? Haha We did get flowers from our boyfriend Mario, who we buy our fruit from weekly though! haha Woo, it was pretty exciting. anyways.

This week has been another hard one, but I know its all ok, because I know at least for myself, Im doing all I can to INVITE others to come unto Christ. I constantly remind myself that the Lord knows these people, and i just have to be an intsrument in his hands. Its hard a lot of times though, really hard. Especially when Elder Causse at Zone Conference said that "there are more elects in your city than you are able to teach!" haha I DO have the faith they are out there, its just a matter of continuing to HAVE that faith that there really are elects who are just READY for the gospel. Mosiah 24 14-15 kept me going this week.

I've been really trying to utilize the English Course lately, and the fact that we have a classroom of people there listening to us for like the last 10-15 minutes when we do a spiritual thought. This last Tuesday, we had an investigator emerge from Eng course who was really interested in how the Book of Mormon answers the questions of the soul. His name is Massimo Italia--haha how italian is that? He said for the last few years hes been on like a spiritual journey, and is searching for some "truth"...YES, we can help you with that!! We were pretty excited. He also knows a member in our ward who is in the Bishopbric who is very strong, and said that he has talked to him a little bit about the church. Elio, his friend that he know in the bishopbric got baptised a year and a half ago, so we are hoping to do an appointment in his home this week.

We decided to drop Giussi, because she just wasnt progressing and we figured it is better to spend our time doing other things. We have been working really hard lately, this last week we taught 21 lessons. Sorella Morgan told me that she and I teach the most out of anyone she has been with on her mission..She said with most companionships they averaged 11 lessons/week. I am thinking President will keep us together for Sorella Morgan's last two transfers, but we'll see...We get transfer calls next Thursday. Sorella Morgan only served with her last companion for one transfer, so it's possible I could get transferred, and some one else could be with her for her last 2 transfers..

Probably one of the biggest struggles for me right now is being with a companion who is about to go home. Its really tough sometimes. She is getting pretty excited to go home, and her time is approaching. Mine however...isnt. All I can do is continue pushing forward. Its so true though, that the more we teach, and the more wetry to focus on the work, the easier it is.

To be honest, I love Siracusa, but the mission does often start to feel like Groundhog day.. In fact, the other night during awkward hour (8-9 pm), we passed the same man, walking the same two dogs, at the exact same spot on the street. It was weird!!!! Haha, its crazy thinking that Ive been in this city almost three months, and it feels like Ive been here for an eternity. I feel like we have a constant turnover of investigators- We found that 17 year old girl on her scooter two weeks ago, Fabiana, and we were able to teach her and give her a really cool tour of the church. The lesson went really well. It is so crazy that there really are people who have never had a relationship with God, or eve know for certain that there is such a being. She had told us she was going to come to church, and then she didnt show up (although there were only about 20 people in church anyways because it was raining..) Then we were worried that we had lost her, because we called and she didnt answer. Then two days later someone honked at us on a scooter as we were walking, and it was her! So we have another appointment with her this saturday! It was a miracle! Thats not the first time that has happened to us! She apparantly slept in on sunday. mah. its understandable, 9 am is early when your 17.

2 weeks ago in church when a member of the bishopbric blessed their baby, we were able to talk to a lot of their family members who werent members. We got talking especially with his neice who is 19, and her boyfriend and 2 year old son. They were really nice, and we got their address. then we went to have a member lesson with her Uncle (the one who is in the bishopbric) and he saiad that she wants to quit smoking....Later on last week, we had some time, and decided we would stop by this address. Her name is Denisa, her and her boyfriend live together with their son. She just happened to be out on her balcony hanging up laundry when we walked by, another miracle!! WE then were able to get an appointment with her last night where we introduced her to the churchs' quitting smoking program. At the same time, it involves a lot of prayer, and faith in Jesus Christ. So the lesson went really well, we read Moroni 9: 21, 27, and 37, these are some awesome scriptures on Prayer that she really liked. We have high hopes for her. The only problem is they are not married...

We went to visit an old lady who is a member of the church, who is 100 years old this week. We have keys to her house, because the sisters in the past have gone to visit her a lot. Weve tried to go in the past but the keys didnt work, but this time when we passed by the lady who takes care of her was home, so we were able to get in. It was intense! I have never met anyone that old, and she was still like all the way there! Its cool to be able to serve so many people. I anything, the mission just makes you realize how selfish we are. She cried to us as she told us that her family has basically abandoned her, as no one has gone to visit her in the last 2 months. We both felt pretty guilty, and told her we would pass by weekly, at least for a minute when we have a few minutes.

I hope you all are doing well. This is the hardest thing ever, but at the same time so good. P-days are actually like the hardest days of the week, because you have the time to think. I always feel the most overwhelmed, because it just all adds up through out the week, and then by the time Wednseday comes, Im just DEAD. But its all good. I have been feeling sick the last week or so. Hopefully ill be able to get over it soon. Im really excited for spring. Its been raining a lot lately here. Ive officially worn our my 1st pair of boots that i bought for 15 euro my 1st week at the market in catania. They have holes in the bottoms. classic. Yesterday was Carnivale here. A big holiday like Halloween. The ward had a big party, but it started at 8, we had english course til 8:30, and then we caught the beginning part of the party. They insisted on painting our faces with face paint before we went home. The party went til midnight, crazy party animals. it was fun though, I love the members here in Siracusa, they are wonderful people. please pray for the work here. And please do missionary work with your friends. We as missionaries are "fulltime teachers" and "the members are full time finders". If it actually worked like this, life would be bella! haha love you all,

-Sorella Miller

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February 10, 2010 Every Week I End My Letter to Monica "Carry On" I wish I could tell her "I Miss You"

: ciao famiglia

Hello family,

Another hard week has gone by. Thank you so much Mom for your sweet Valentines Day cards, and the family pictures! Wow, everyone looks so great. I definitely shed a few tears opening up that letter and seeing everyone together, but its all good. Im fine. Im human right. Thanks so much for your letter Dad, I look forward to those every week. How are your Mom and Dad doing?

This week was tough. We went over to see Giussi Pulvirenti last night, and she told us that her Mother passed away yesterday morning. It was overwhelming, and hard to be really her only source of comfort. She has never married, and has really no family. We have been teaching her for about 9 weeks now, and we realized it is time to drop her. Last night she offered us some coffee, and that was kind of the last straw. Its just super difficult for her to understand things. WE went to her Mom's funeral this morning, and they did the "funeral" without her....Super sad. I was balling last night as we just sat with her, and she talked to us about her Mother. I coudn't help but think how lucky I am to have such an incredible Mom. I get notes in the mail like everyweek that are just so sweet, and Mom you really are my best friend in the whole world. Thank you for all you do. We read Alma 40 together, and she really felt comforted by some of those verses. As far as her baptism goes, we both feel like its the right thing to drop her. She has only been to church one time in the last two months, and we feel she more has a desire to be with us and doesnt really see that there is a huge difference between the restored gospel, and anyone else.

Nando we were able to see last week. He is weird in the fact that he will just randomly call us and be like, where are you? Can we meet up in 10 minutes and talk? Haha so we met up, and we were outside the grocery store and talked. He is so interesting, but more just its so hard because he is SO intellectually driven, that he doesnt ever really read with intentions of feeling the spirit, or discovering new truth. He doesnt really have the right desires. In response to him asking me if I have read the Koran, and studied with other churches to solidify my beliefs, I can only bare my testimony that a testimony comes at different points for everyone. I have been fortunate enough to not have to go searching for years and years to find happiness, where as some people do, and they never find it. I dont think we will continue meeting with him. He just wants to exchange intellectual knowledge...

We have a tendency of talking to a lot of old people who are just angry at the younger generation, and homeless people who have talked to millions of missionaries and exchanged crazy theories about religion. It actualy amazes me how many people we meet who have read the Book of Mormon, and just say "si si ho letto già questo libro, è bello, è bellissimo!" But they just don't do anything about it. They think it is a great book that teaches nice Christian doctrine, but thats it. I just keep reminding myself that I am here to plant seeds.

The ward here in Siracuse is really struggling with members going inactive lately. Its very difficult and really sad. Never get offended, because no one ever makes us mad. We make ourselves get mad. Its so sad to see the inside scoop of what goes on in a ward sometimes (unfortunately). People gossip, people talk, and people become offended and leave the church. We as missionaries for some reason are like the middle ground, meaning people know we wont say anything or pick sides, so they choose to tell us EVERYTHING: TOO MUCH SOMETIMES. I cannot believe the things people tell us, and it becomes emotionally over bearing at times. Why can't people just love each other? I don't get it sometimes. I feel overwhelmed a lot at the responsibilities we have as missionaries.

We have decided as of our Zone Conference 2 weeks ago, that we are talking to everyone!!!! We definitely do get rejected more, but there are a few people who at least will listen to us. My favorite is when we teach a lesson to someone on the street like about the restoration, and then after a 5 minutes conversation explaining the restoration, they go " OH, yea, so we are basically exactly the same" hahahah wow, did you not listen to anything I just said?? Eh, oh well. Our new target is younger teens and like early twenties. Sometimes we are the most intimidated by them, but this week we started talking to more of them. We always think we should because all the converts here tell us they joined when they were like 18, 20 ish. WE found this girl Fabiana this week who agreed to let us come meet with her in the church tomorrow to teach her again. She sat and listened to us on her scooter. We were trying to teach two of her friends, and they were basically ignoring us, then she scooted up and was like what are you guys talking about? then we started teaching her about the reason we are here on the earth, and where we go after this life etc and she was realy interested. The younger people are just a lot more open minded than the oldies that are just nice and think we're cute.

We challenged Paola in a lesson on scripture study and prayer to pray again about a baptisimal date. She is still trying to quit smoking, but she is smoking MORE in these days than before. Sometimes i just dont know what else I can do for people. You want so bad for them to change, but you can only do so much. This is so hard. I cant say that enough times, but I know its making me into a better person. Just tough tough tough. I know maybe some people will be benefited by something I do in this time I serve amongst these people.

I love you all so much, thank you for your prayers.

-Monica

Big News!! February 3, 2010

Subject: big news!!

Ciao Famiglia--ammiccci

SO...another week down, I cannot believe how true it is that I have never had such long days in my life, and such short weeks. I am glad you got the package with all the pictures, it takes 6 days to receive mail from the US.

This week we got some sweet news that they will be condensing the 3 missions here in Italy down to two. Italy Milan, and Italy Rome...This means that as of Juy 1st, our mission down here in the South will be combining with Rome. There will be no more Catania Mission. So for the last 9 months of my mission I could easily serve in Rome, Napals, or any of the cities up North in the Rome mission. The mission home will be in Rome! I was so excited to hear this news! It will be an interesting experience to have two mission Presidents in my mission, splitting up my mission basically in HALF, one with each mission president.

This week was one where, basically the only way to really describe it is that it was HARD!!!! Haha It never helps when you invite tons of people to come to church, some even the morning OF committing they will be there, then you anxiously await for them to come, and NONE do! haha It takes a lot to just brush it off, and know that you can only do so much. This keeps re-occuring...the whole concept of doing all you can do, and knowing that people have their agency to make their own decisions.

Sunday was one of those days where everything just seems to fight against you. We had two lessons set up with our 2 progressing investigators. Giussi and Paola. Both of these lessons we had members coming with us. Both of the appointments fell through. We had from 4-9 pm to do SOMETHING...Haha A lot of times I think a mission is just there to push you and push you, just to see if you have the faith to keep going. Just to see if you will still have a smile fo your face at the end of the day. My feet have never hurt like they have here. It sounds so clichè haha To say the things that people always say when they serve a mission, but like at the end of the day when you have an hour left, and your feet hurt, and all you want to do is go watch Elf, and cuddle up and do nothing, you have to have the faith to jsut keep going, and know that The Lord never lets a "good deed go un-noticed."

Monday went sort of the same way. We seemed to end up in the akward hour from 8-9 pm, with no apoointments, and no one is out on the streets because they are all inside with their families eating (and heaven forbid it might be like 50 degrees outside and raining! whhhoah! haha) and all the stores are closed, and there is LITERALLY NO ONE OUTSIDE. Im not even kidding. It is the strangest thing. There are two hours each day that I strongly dis-like: beteen 12:00 pm-1:30, the hour and a half before we go in for lunch, and between 8:00-9:00 pm. At 12, everyone goes home for lunch, stores close, and you cannot do house because people get mad if you ring their citofano (door bell) anytime between 12:00 and 4:00 pm. Then 8:00 pm everything closes, and there is hardly anyone outside, it would be easy to go home early..A LOT of nights, but I always know that exact obedience yields blessings. I need all the help I can get!

So Monday night there was this little Paneficio (bread store) that was open, it was like 20 minutes to nine, and we decided to go in. I got some little pastry thing just to try, and the lady at the register said something like "Your face has 'DESTROYED' written all over it, have a good night, there is no way I am making you pay for that!" haha She said it to both of us, but then she looked at me, and said, "ESPECIALLY YOU!!!" haha it was pretty funny, and in that moment, I needed a laugh, and I got one.

We found a girl last week on the street named Consuelo. She has 3 kids, adn we were able to schedule a time to meet with her. We went to her house yesterday and taught her. I felt like I had known her from somewhere before. It was the strangest thing, she just had something about her that was was familiar. WE went into her house, and it was basically like walking into a chimney, her Mom and sister were both there, and her sisters little kid, but the room was just FULL of smoke. Her Mom told us that the missionaries like 15 years ago used to go to her house every day and meet with them to teach them. She said there was NO WAY she would get baptized though. Consuelo was only 13, and doesn't have much recollection of what was taught. WE taught the Restoration, and watched a short film called Finding Happiness. They loved the film, and I could tell that as we taught Consuelo, amid all of the craziness fo cooking, smoking, babies, and a ranting angry husband that came in half way through, she felt someting. She listened to us intently. It is in those moments, where you can tell that people are genuinely missing something in their life, that it all becomes worth it. I have a really good feeling about her, and am excited to continue teaching her.

We have had some good lesons with Giussi Polvirenti this last week. We taught her the Word of Wisdom and the spirit was super strong. So strong that she got up right then and there and threw away her Coffee and tea, adn committed to live the Word of Wisdom! It was sweet! I was beaming! haha I love that crazy old half catholic/half mormon woman! We went with her to visit her Mom this week who is 97 and lives out in the country in like an assisted living center, and on the way home, somehow we ended up at a statue of the Virgin Mary, and she was suluting it, doing all sorts of Crazy Catholic stunts! haha Its so hard sometimes I just think there is no hope to totally De-CAtholify her, but then I just remember she is like 70, and has been catholic for 70 YEARS! haha She now is full-blown in love with the Book of Mormon, and prays with her own words! It is cool to see her develop a relationship with God as she prays, and not just recite Padre Nostro every time...

The mission doesnt cease to provide me with eye-opening experiences. Sunday night, the same night that I was fighting back the urge to think about myself, and wanting to watch Elf (I dont know why, I think it is jsut because that movie is so funny ,and I was striving to find anything good about life in that moment..haha) we came across a family on the street. It was a Mom and Dad, and their little baby. They were juggling hacky-sacks, and asking people for money. Meanwhile, there little baby was dirty, and crying in the stroller, because their puppy that was in a dufflebag was licking the baby's bottle, and eating it's cracker. I dont know why this experience was so hard for me, but after we walked away from talking to them, I couldn't help but start crying. I cried, for several reasons. I think the main being that I was starting to think at how the Savior loves people. I dont know how often I really stopped to care about anyone else before the mission. A lot of times I forget, that more than anything, I am jsut here to love people, and help the have a relationship with Jesus Christ. The gospel is for EVERYONE!!!! We dont have control over the family we are born into, but I do know that God doesn't care what we look like, or where we sleep at night, or what brand of jeans we wear, but that all he wants is that his children come home again. Alma 26: 21 and 33. This scripture really made me step back and realize that God loves us all. For me, itis a DAILY battle against the natural desire to want to think about myself. We are all naturally self-centered, but the mission is just providing me with an ideal opportunity to constantly strive to develop a Christ-like love for others. I have come to see that as I really try to forget myself, and just LOVE these people, that I am happier. This time on the mission is just something I needed, because I am learning that life does not revolve around me (OK, I am sounding like I was this SUPER SELFISH person before the mission, I wasn't some horribe person ok?...ha) but, that it is helping me to develop a pattern of always looking to ways I can just help people come to Christ. We all can every day. Yesterday we just started talking to a woman on the street whose husband had just passed away and was trying to find a job that would get her enough food to eat. In the end, she didnt think she would ever have the time to see us again, but she was genuinely grateful for the reminder we gave her that she has a Heavenly FAther that loves her and understands her, and that we can pray to feel comforted when we feel alone. I am constantly reminding myself to treasure these experiences, because eventhough it is absolutely the hardest, most frustrating, tiring, emotionally draining thing I have ever VOLUNTARILY signed up for, I am coming to know myself, and see others as God sees them.

I love you all so much, and pray for you daily. Please know that my scriptures are full of pics of my family that I show people all the time haha hope you are all well, ci veddiamo -Sorella Miller