Week 3 on the Island

HI

     Well buon giorno everyone! Miss you. Don't know where to begin. This email is going to be all over the place because I'm flippin tired and I think I already have second hand smoke from the fresh and lovely air here in Italy aka constant mal di testa (headache). Here are the deets of my week.

     Last week Eunice called us to have a lesson with her!!! Miracle because she never calls us first. We were excited to go up to Roccastrada and see her and Doris. Doris is a less active who referred Eunice to the missionaries a long time ago. They both live in Roccastrada and I don't understand how they are such good friends because Eunice is an African who speaks Portuguese and a little English and Doris is a Peruvian who speaks Italian....so interesting haha. Anywho we go on our jolly way to the bus stop to take the hour long ride to Roccastrada and the bus never came. We were freaking out. We had our tickets and we were waiting in the correct spot but it never came. We asked all the employees what was going on but they said to just keep waiting it would come. We waited for over an hour and a half. It was such a let down. We had to call Eunice and tell her we weren't coming and she said she doesn't know when we can come again. We were so sad because her asking us to come never happens. But we were able to make a return appointment with Doris for the next day. So we went up to Rocca the next day and climbed to the top of this literal rock city (hence roccastrada- rock street) where Doris's house was tucked next to this giant stone chapel with such huge bells when they rang they shook her house! It was a really good visit with her. I honestly don't even know why any missionaries need to go to South America we all know they are all automatically going straight to heaven. They are gems. I love them so much. And Doris is no exception. 

     What happens a lot in Italy is people get baptized but are almost immediately inactive because they never go to church. Most of the church buildings are very far from the members homes. Doris's husband would have to drive her an hour into Siena just for her to go and he doesn't want to waste his one day off of work waking up at 8. For Eunice it's the same case. Her husband would have to take her to church and that is just not an option. So it's extremely difficult because a lot of great people who want to learn more and want to come to church, but physically can't. We try to help, but almost always they never show up so they never really progress in the gospel.  Doris was so sweet, she spoke Italian at lightning speed with a Peruvian accent so....I understood ciao and that was about it. I tried to talk with her and she told me that I don't need to say anything to her, she knows exactly who I am just by my countenance. It was the best compliment I've ever received. When she kissed me goodbye she pulled me in for a hug and didn't let go!  

     We did a lot of finding this week and niente. nada. zilch. zero. One night after we finished a lot of finding we came home and I barely crawled into the place. I've never been so tired in my life. I literally just laid on the floor when I got home. Well we finished our planning and were about to go to bed when our phone rings and its the elders. We were like what the heck do you want it's so late. They began telling us we were missing the festa!!! We said what festa? They said to get our butts down to the church. So we went (crawled) back down all the roads to our church building and sure enough a bunch of people from our tiny branch were in the building cooking up giant bowls of pasta and pizza. I tried asking what the heck was going on and why they were all there (They all live a minimum of an hour away and it was already 10). No one had a good reason. It made no sense. They were just having an impromptu party. So they shoveled us full of pasta and pizza and then we walked home and it was so late! The next morning I was in a carb hangover and could not move. I wish I was kidding. Me and Sorella Rowe both just laid on the floor of the apartment dead for 30 minutes when we woke up. Italians never sleep I swear. 

     The next day we didn't have any appointments with anyone so we made brownies and took them to less actives (there's about 039458032 less actives in the country of Italy its so sad). Italians go crazy for brownies because they don't have them here,but when they ask how to make them and we tell them how much sugar goes into them they freak out and get mad. Italians don't like putting a lot of sugar in their desserts. Anyways we take this bus to this random town to a woman named Tina's house. She wasn't home of course, so we put them on her apartment windowsill with a note and left. We then went to this little city named Costalpino (which I have decided if I move to Toscano Siena one day I will buy my house in Costalpino, I just got good vibes you know?) to visit an investigator named Azzura. We knew she probably wouldn't be there because last we heard she was in some type of medical place, but we went anyways and we went to her family's pizzeria to ask. They told us that Azzura was still gone. They were really nice though and took the brownies happily haha. 

     We have tried contacting several times all the people whose numbers we got last week. No one has answered, not even once. Not even the Natale family. It has been such a bummer because all we could do this week was do more finding since we didn't really have anyone else to teach. I don't know why they aren't answering. When we get new numbers we always call the number right then and make sure it works in front of them so that we know they didn't give us a fake number.  It's not that they are avoiding us because the only people whose numbers we receive are from those who are sincerely interested. I am still praying that someone does. 

     One of our investigators who is always so back and forth about wanting to meet with us is Jennifer. She randomly called us Friday or Saturday and said she wanted to come to church this Sunday and we were so excited!!! We hung up and immediately tried to find a ride for her but out of everyone in our tiny branch there are only 2 cars and they are always packed from picking each other up. Our members are the best because they leave their houses at like 8 in the morning just to pick everyone up and drive the hour to the church. So no one could do it. We called her back and tried to figure out train times but you could tell she wasn't interested in putting any of her own money into the travel down to the city. We were hoping she would come and watched the door all sacrament but alas, a no show. BUT something good did happen. Jennifer didn't come to church but Tina did!! The door opened and Sorella Rowe started freaking out. I had never met Tina before so I didn't recognize her. Everyone was so excited when she came in. And like all Italians, they stopped everything and make a big show about her being there which was so funny because Anziano Rogers was giving a talk and literally not one person was listening anymore it was so awkward they were all just excited that someone new was there. Rogers started laughing because he knew no one was remotely interested in what he was saying anymore. Our branch president stood and invited Tina to bare her testimony, so she got up and said I stopped going to church because it was far away and boring to me (no joke) she said I just didn't feel like going anymore. haha. Then she said it was because she came home after work and saw that the sisters had brought her American dolce that she came to church because she would feel guilty if she didn't. and sat down. Oh my gosh what a nightmare. But I was proud of her for standing up. She went to the next two meetings and by the end of church her entire attitude changed and she seemed to be really happy she came. Everyone did a really good job of welcoming her so I was proud of them for that. 

     We did a lot of finding this week without much success and one night in particular I felt so defeated. I was so frustrated that I couldn't speak my mind to anyone and I was so tired and cold and just wanted to go home. We were on our way home and were about to cross the street when I saw this lady walking her dog (correction all south Americans AND dogs are going straight to heaven) my companion started to cross the street, but I asked this woman if she had ever seen missionaries like us before and she said yes and I asked what did they say? So my companion turns around and sees I'm not with her, but instead talking to someone so she runs back across the street and the three of us started a conversation. The dog was so hilarious and anytime I stopped petting him he would put his paw on my knee until I started again, oh man I miss my dogs. Anyway this woman didn't have a belief in God, but was willing to talk to us about it. I bore my testimony to her and I felt the spirit. she let us get her number and I'm excited to hopefully set up a meeting with her again! When we were walking away Sorella Rowe was like "Sorella!!! you just had the gift of tongues back there, everything you said was perfect!!!!" it made me feel so good! It was such a good experience to have on an already crappy past couple of days. Little does she know I memorized most of what I said to the lady but even then usually when I try to talk to people I get nervous and my mind goes blank, but I was able to gather my thoughts and say what I wanted to. It was a good night.

     We are still trying to find and contact anyone whose numbers we have gotten. It is so defeating sometimes, but I still have high hopes for Siena. I know that this branch needs desperate help. And I want to get new members for them I just had no idea how hard it would be just to commit people to coming to church much less be baptized. Europe is a crazy place people. I just had no idea. 

     Yesterday was so long and frustrating because I had to get my permesso. which is basically a temporary visa to live here. We had to go to the Italian government building called the Questura to get my fingerprints and what not. I was in line with so many immigrants. I love Italy don't get me wrong, but in my short time being here I have been able to see the country in ways different than people do on vacation. And let me just tell you I have never been so grateful and blessed and proud to be an American. This is going to sound so stupid, but I was literally humming the national anthem in line just so I wouldn't lose it. I have stayed really strong with all the adjustments being a missionary in a strange new country, but it was when I was standing in line in a  government building with a bunch of immigrants and rude Italian government workers, and watching my American passport being thrown around like it was nothing that I realized I'm not going home for 16 months. The homesickness hit me like a ton of rocks and not just for home. I don't know how to explain i,t but I see so many corrupt and sad and awful things here that make me realize how truly blessed I am. I am lucky to be in Italy because, Italians have a great respect towards Americans. I'm grateful God knew me well enough to not send me somewhere where I had to be hated for being American as well as for being a missionary. I am lucky. Whenever Italians hear me speak English they stare at me for many reasons. Most of the time it's because they are all trying to learn English to go to America one day so they try to figure out what I am saying for practice. Or they are just interested in seeing an American. Either way it's out of admiration and interest rather than hate or annoyance. I am so grateful for that.  I had to keep strong from having a full on break down in the middle of the stupid Questura as I am asking permission to stay in this country. I mean I always knew I was patriotic, but man I had no idea. I don't let myself think about how long I won't be in America other wise my eyes instantly fill with tears! BUT I am grateful to be in Italy. It is a beautiful place with great people, sometimes I have to tell myself that everyday haha. 

     We went all the way to Poggibonsi again to have a lesson with Maria, a less active, who has the cutest little boy Alex who is 8 years old. I cant get a read on her situation at all. When we walked in she was happy to see us and sat down with us in the beginning with Alex, but then went to cook dinner in a completely separate room with the door closed....? Um you invited us lady. It made no sense to me. So we taught Alex for an hour and left and she came to the door to tell us goodbye. Alex has a heart of gold and I know he would let us keep teaching him. He would love to get baptized, but part of me thinks it would be pointless right now because his mom doesn't go to church ever! So if we want this adorable little boy baptized we have to reactivate his mom so he can start going to church (which I also am afraid he wouldn't like because we have no primary). ughhhhhhh. So frustrating sometimes because I don't know how to help. 

     In other news something great happened two days ago. I finished the Book of Mormon. Truly I have never felt God's love for me so strong at any other time than when I would read the stories from the many prophets in that book. I know its converting power because I feel reconverted just reading it. I know the power it could have in peoples lives which is why people like me go on these crazy hard missions to far away places. So many people before my mission loved talking about it only because I was going to Italy. "Are you excited for Italy?" "What do you want to do in Italy" "Well of course she's going on a mission its Italy". They are all wrong. I came on this mission to yes, Italy, the most beautiful country in the world, but because I know the Book of Mormon is true. Italy is the hardest pill I have ever swallowed as I work day in and day out  to bring people TRUE happiness. You can know of true happiness or just even find out if this book is true if you JUST read. That is why I am here. Italy is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I know that as I continue to work as hard as I can and continue to love these people as much as I already do, they too can come to know of their father in heaven's love for them. How great is it that it is truly that simple, read a book and pray to know for yourself. I know too many people in my life who are afraid of doing this because (gasp) what if the answer is yes, it is true? what if my life is never the same? well get over it because the answer will be yes, your life will change, and you will experience COMPLETE HAPPINESS. You will gain more than you ever thought possible. This gospel has changed my life. I will never be the same. I am on this mission because of its blessings in my life that I want to bring to others. God does not love any one of his children more than the other. He wants us all to experience this joy so he allows us all to ask him individually. So please do it and don't waste one more minute of this precious life wondering if this is true or not. Just ask. 

     Oh a completely other side note. Apparently I look french to other Italians, that is until I open my mouth and have the strongest American accent of all time. Also side note, Italians love American accents and they don't like English accents haha! That's a first. They think when Americans speak Italian we make the language sound more proper and elegant, but when English people speak they think they sound snobby. They also really love Americans because we are warm and friendly like they are. They say Americans remind them of Italians .I love Italians.

     Have a great week everyone!!!!! By next week I should have a couple baptisms to report and that I had 135 lessons with people on the street. Take that South American missionaries. 

Love Sorella Williams

Siena Duomo

Roccastrada



Siena Branch impromptu party

Scambio with Sorella Taylor

Sssssaaaaalllllllllllvvvvvvveeeeeeee amici,

     Wow first of all let me apologize for my last email. Looking back it was quite dramatic. But you have to understand that when missionary work is what you do all day everyday, not seeing any success or feeling like you're not doing enough is the hardest thing in the world. But its so great being out here in Italy. You are literally at the heart of the battle and I'm having that made more clear to me everyday. I feel like a real missionary.

     This week was absolutely crazy so I will give as many highlights as I can.

     Thursday we took a train to Firenze (Florence) to do scambio with our STL ( sister training leaders)  On the train we met this woman and we talked to her for most of the way there. We talked a lot about the gospel but she kept bringing the conversation back to John Bon Jovi hahaha. She literally is obsessed with bon jovi and keeps a picture of him in her wallet. I was dying. She had me translate one of his songs to her and she was so happy to actually know what he was saying now..She wasn't too interested in the gospel but it was an entertaining train ride that's for sure.

     When we got there I was so excited because my STL (Sister Training Leader) is Sorella Taylor whose sister lives with my sister in Salt Lake. I love her sister Kim and have heard tons about Sorella Taylor. It was so nice to finally meet her in person. When we got to Florence, me, Sorella Taylor, Sorella Rowe and Hogan all had lunch proprio italian sandwiches while sitting under the Duomo which is worth all the hype. It is seriously the most beautiful building I have ever seen. I didn't know what to do with myself except stare at it. Florence is a lot more overwhelming to me coming from Siena because it is jam packed with tourists, but the work seems to be going good there so I'm happy for them. 

     Taylor and I hopped in her car and went to go have a lesson with some guy and his family in some strange city. we had to take the freeway and we spent most of the car ride freaking out because Italian drivers are psychotic. Taylor was so nervous and I was her life coach getting her through it all praying we wouldn't crash haha. We pull up to this random town and start walking to find this family's house and we asked this old lady where it was. She said we were in the wrong town by almost 5 Kilometers! by the time we got back to the car we called John and told him we would be late and he was like "late? what are you talking about I'm not even home" WHAT THE HECK JOHN NICE. So we had a good chuckle and went back to Firenze and decided to go finding. We were walking down the side walk and the FIRST women we stop seemed interested in our message I couldn't believe it. I kept thinking in my head oh my gosh it has been 30 seconds and they are still talking to us, oh my gosh it has been 3 minutes and they are still talking to us, etc. We taught them most of the restoration minus the Book of Mormon. The spirit prompted me to bring up how Jesus came to the ancient inhabitants of America after his resurrection and so I did and I was so scared I would say it wrong, but I did it and it was awesome. They looked at each other smiling almost as if they have been waiting for something like this for a long time. I wanted to do the happy dance right then and there. Their names are Jamie and Belen and they're from South America, aka the best people you can talk to here. They loved me and Sorella Taylor and agreed to hear more about our message. They were so disappointed when I told them I wouldn't be there the next time though and so was I. I asked them if they had any friends in Siena and they said no. I was so sad. They really loved me and tried to figure out in their schedule if they could meet with us in the morning before I had to go back to Siena. They agreed to go to church this Sunday as well. It was the best finding experience I have had. When me and Sorella Taylor left and turned the next corner we did the happy dance and were freaking out at how unbelievable it was. She told me that was the strongest she has felt the spirit finding throughout her entire mission. She told me it was a MIRACLE GREENIE hahaha. That night we taught English class and I had the best reunion ever with Elder Harris! I was so happy to see him and I'm so grateful he is in my zone. I'm going back to Firenze in two weeks for zone conference so I get to see all these guys again. 

     The next morning we went and taught Julia, who is a recent convert. She is the sweetest Peruvian woman and I love her. She fed us rice and lentils and I was in heaven. They were weirdly so delicious. While we were there she started getting all these phone calls from work and in no time she was having a full on argument with who ever was on the other line. It is hard to find work in Italy. There is a  high population of retired folk so EVERYONE works in old folk homes or for individual clients. Julia told me that the woman she works for is not very nice and never lets her have a day off work. She was arguing to get Sundays off so she could go to church. Italians never quit their jobs either because it is near to impossible to get a new one. There is a huge population of unemployed people here it is so sad. Anyways Julia starts crying and is freaking out because she doesn't know what to do. Me and Taylor were a little overwhelmed because it was Taylors first time meeting this woman too. Eventually the woman called her back and more yelling occurred. Julia quit her job right then and there and hung up and was a mess as you could imagine. We comforted her as best we could and told her that through her faith in God he can deliver you out of any impossible situation. I may or may not have also threatened the woman and told Julia that if she wanted me to I could go and beat her up. Julia laughed and felt a lot better after we left. 

     The next day in Siena we taught the Natale family in a town called Poggibonsi outside of Siena. They are less active but have their grand kids living with them who are 8 and 13 and they are not members. Rowe warned me a lot about this family  and how it can be very intimidating and hard to talk to them because they are stubborn.  Well I went over there and met my match Franco. Man he is a stubborn sarcastic man.  In my small Italian vocabulary I did my best to not seem intimidated. By the end of the night we were best friends. He sassed me a lot and I sassed him right back and he could not figure me out. We want them to start coming back to church. They were converted years ago by missionaries who knocked at their door and I told them to tell me what they remember from their baptism day and how they felt. Franco got a little choked up and you could see that he still has his testimony. We asked if we could teach the grand kids and they agreed. The kids are so cute and they like the missionaries. Everyone here always asks what my name is and I tell them Sorella Williams and they say NO YOUR REAL NAME. I tell them I am a missionary and this is my real name but they still insist. Well Franco and his wife did this to me and when I told him Lindsay he said EH? LINDA? i said no Lindsay! and his wife said LISTEN TO HER SHE SAID LINDSAY. Anyway next thing I know Franco and his wife are in full yelling argument about how to properly pronounce my own name (they could have just asked me I was sitting right there) I was laughing so hard as throughout their whole house you could hear them yelling LINDSAY WILLIAMS ITS LINDA WEEELLLEEEAAMMMMMSS ITS LINNDDDAAZZZZZEYYYY EEEELLLEEEAAMMMMMSSS.Keep in mind everything is in rapid Italian. It was pretty entertaining. They ended up not going to church (even though I told Franco I need more friends at church and he could sit by me and he seemed to like that a lot). But we plan on seeing them again this week and I'm anxious to start teaching the family all together. 

     Another time this week we were doing casa (door to door knocking) and this woman let us up to her apartment (remember that all people answer their doors by their windows) we were shocked. You almost never get invited up (SONO CATOLICA . IO HO GESU CRISTO. CREDE IN MADONNA). So we walk into this woman's house and its decked out in catholic everything. We sat and shared the restoration with her and we shared a video with her as well from lds.org. We asked her such great questions like "if this scriptures says we must follow exactly the church that Jesus Christ restored then why do you think different churches baptize differently" and lots and lots more. This woman was perfect. She asked questions like "Well it says right here that we need prophets in the Bible so who is our prophet?" I thought she was going to say papa francesco but she didn't! She also said she didn't believe that babies needed to be baptized and she said that she has prayed to know if her church is correct but she never has gotten an answer. Golden right? nope. We gave her all the answers she asked us, backed up by scripture, but she was soooo closed off. She just was not feeling that she needed to look into it any further because she "has always been catholic" and she basically said it doesn't matter what the correct church is because we all pray to one God and he hears each of our prayers so why does it matter what church we are in. We had such great responses and I even felt the spirit. I recited to her the first vision but still she was very closed off. Hopefully one day down the road she will re think our message to her. 

     Yesterday we went finding in the most beautiful park. We had a lesson with an atheist woman who has been through a lot in her life. we asked her if she has ever prayed to know if God is there for her or if he exists. She said no and that she wasn't planning on it because she is content believing there is no God. We taught her most of the restoration but she just didn't want to try. Sad. Then we had another lesson with a woman (THROUGH HER DOG YES I KNEW IT) and she was so sweet and we talked to her a while about the gospel and the differences in what she and we believed in. My companion gave her a pass along card and we were about to walk away but I asked her if we could meet with her again about our message and she said YES. I was so happy. So we got her contact info and we are planning on meeting with her sometime this week. Then we had another lesson with an atheist. But of all the people we talked to that day for whatever reason I felt God's love pouring out to this woman specifically. It was the strangest feeling. She listened intently to everything we said and almost insisted we take her number. The only problem is she lives and hour and a half away and only comes to Siena to play bass guitar so hopefully we can work something out with her. I bore my testimony to her and she was glued to what we were saying. Such a great feeling. 

     Then we were doing casa and this young woman in her mid twenties let us up (WHAT). It was her and a man also mid twenties (Simona and Davide) who listened to the restoration of the gospel on their doorstep and I KNOW that they felt the spirit. They were so interested in what we were saying (young people to listen to us is also a miracle) and I could have died of happiness I swear. We got their information and they said we could come back again. WHAT WHAT HOOOOLLLAAAAAAAA. Me and Rowe did the happy dance for a solid 20 after that one. The spirit was strong and I felt that they were no coincidence for us. 

     All week we also have been calling potentials (those who gave their numbers to missionaries in the past but were never contacted) and this woman Sandra was really sweet on the phone and agreed to meet us at a bus stop up the road from us today! I'm really excited about that. We got one or two other potentials who said we could call them back in a week and we could set something up. We also teach other less actives throughout the week and ones name is Daniela and she is really sweet but she lives in the old nunnery outside of Siena, which is a strange place. Old nunneries are common places for immigrants to live or for those who are trying to get their feet on the ground.

     Everyday here is so crazy because you literally just have no clue if you are in the right place at the right time until someone agrees to listen to you. Every time we teach I feel the spirit bearing witness to me over and over how true this message is and I feel like I become a new convert everyday. Even just typing this and remembering all these different lessons I get the happiest feeling. I'm so excited that some of those we talked to weren't closed off and that the spirit was able to touch their hearts and tell them to continue meeting with us. I feel like a true missionary. I get denied 230952 times a day but it is the best work in the world and I feel like a true disciple of Christ. You can feel God's love for these people. The language will come and for now I can only say a bit and act out the rest.  I have faith that God wanted me here for a reason and he will help me with the language as long as I try every single day. 

     I have been reading my scriptures every morning and am almost done with the Book of Mormon. This is sad of me to admit, but this is the first time I've ever truly read the scriptures all the way through without stopping. I have learned more than I thought I would and it gives me the biggest boost every morning to go put on my big girl missionary pants (skirt) and talk to these people everyday. I love my scriptures. It doesn't matter how bad you are at reading or how little you know about them, even if its just a verse a day, they are here for you to help you in this life. Take advantage of what I am trying so hard to show and give to people everyday here on the streets of Siena! I have such a greater appreciation of them.  

oh p.s. it was my two month mark yesterday which is pathetic because I feel like I have been a missionary for 46 years and weird because I feel like I can remember going into the MTC like it was yesterday. meno male! 

love Sorella LEEEEENNNNNDDDDDAAAAAAA WEEEEEEEELLLLLLLEEEEEEEUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMSSSSS

Florence

Beautiful Siena!

Sorella Taylor and Sorella Williams in Florence

Sorella Rowe and Sorella Williams in Siena

What I've Learned

1. Every toilet flushes differently

2. No one stops at stop signs

3. Open urinals on the street

4. There is no such thing as waiting your turn or raising your hand

5. Italians yell out the window instead of coming to answer their door- sempre

6. Neighbors have full conversations via window

7. Dryers are non existent-everyone hangs laundry out windows

8. Every old man holds his hands together behind his back when

walking-cutest thing ever

9. No one hugs- only kisses cheek to cheek

10. Never ask anyone anything unless you have 20 spare minutes to

listen to them respond

11. They find ways to put SO MUCH emotion into simple conversations-

if you're not listening you almost always think they are fighting,

nope just talking about the weather.

12. Buses stop for no one and if you want to get on you have to flag

it down like a taxi even though they have designated stops-some times

they just don't feel like stopping hah!

13. Italians slap each other as a sign of endearment

14. Italians like your full attention when they talk and will cup your

face in their hands to get it.

15. The Madonna (mother Mary) is as important as Christ to these people

16. We are Jehovah's witnesses or Amish to everyone

17. The actual Jehovah's Witnesses do not like us

18. Interrupting is not rude. You have to fight for what you want to say.

19. Italians are the best parallel parkers I've ever seen.

20. Every possibly stereotype is indeed true

Salve da Siena!

First of all yay Broncos. Its been a struggle, but boys...we made it. Superbowl Winners!!

     I really don't have a clue where to begin. I'm a little overwhelmed with my life these days haha. Hard and great. Turns out when you're trying to learn another language you start struggling with the one you already know too.

     So I left the MTC and went from Salt lake to Atlanta (no chick fil a booooooo) and then to Amsterdam (hooollaaaa) and then Milan. Called the family at the air port. Hard but good. I don't know how to explain it. At the SLC airport if you have a tag on you're a celeb. slow clapped my way onto the plane. jk. then once I got to Amsterdam I was immediately hated for being American and having Christ's name on my tag. So I said a prayer of thanks I wasn't serving in north Europe. The hatred towards Americans is so obviously bad I almost broke down in the middle of the airport. I wanted to turn around and be like well this is fun I'm going back to the best country in the world now byyyyeeeeee. fun fact, I ran into the guy who owns the Oakley train car diner in Amsterdam.I got a picture don't worry, then went to Milan. Again flood of emotions, but the people were much friendlier. President Dibb and his wife welcomed us at the airport and we went to the mission home and had dinner at their place. I was so miserably tired I was falling asleep eating bread haha. Then they put us in the car and took us to the Duomo to "go ahead and do what missionaries do" i was like....what is that exactly? Talked to so many people who very easily brushed me aside. Got a good look at how the next 18 months are going to be in Europe.  I did my best and handed some Books of Mormon out and pass along cards. I even talked to a woman on the train who is the famous opera house make up artist. When she said where she worked I heard gasps around me so I gasped too, but had no idea what she was saying. Then we went out to eat yuuuuum. and then went to a hotel that night at around 10;30 and tried to sleep. I was so miserable, but it is strange to be in Italy. Everything is different. I Couldn't figure out the lights or the toilet for the life of me. The next day we went to the church in Milan and met our trainers. I was one of the last two to be paired off so I had two options left 1. Siena or 2. Prato where apparently they have the largest population of Asians in Europe and no one speaks Italian....... uh you can bet which one I was hoping for. Well I got SIENA: and it is truly the most beautiful city I have ever seen in my life. I wish I could describe it. It's one of the only cities where they truly have kept it looking like the renaissance. I spent the first whole day just looking up at all the buildings. Italian and American cultures are sooo soo different and already I have had to stop doing some things and start others.My trainer is great and I'm so lucky to have her. 

     We taught one of our investigators Eunice my second day. she lives in Roccastrada, a beautiful countryside city outside Siena. She was nice, but it's hard to tell if she genuinely likes\wants our message or if she just likes having company. I'm not a very patient person and cant understand what is taking so long with her. The missionaries have been teaching her for SO LONG . I believe you can be bold when it's a matter of salvation. my trainer thinks I'm such a greenie because I literally talk to everyone even though I have no idea what they or myself am saying. Eunice is nice, but hard for me to read. She asked if we were hungry and we said no, but she made us food anyway. I have never been more scared in my life. she pulls out this basically giant pickle jar from under the sink with giant sausage looking things in it with green water in it (fun fact no one refrigerates anything in Italy. not even milk. not even eggs. the grocery stores don't even put them in the fridge. I don't get it) and then she puts like 100 of these babies on my plate. she says you have to peel the skin off of it. I was so scared hahahahaha. It had more fat than it did meat. It was basically all white with fat. I wanted to cry. I choked those mamas down and prayed I wouldn't throw up on her floor. fun huh? not all of Italy is just pizza and pasta ok?

     Sorella Feri is my favorite person in the entire country. Mostly because shes the only person I know. She is the relief society president and is the funniest person I have ever met. she is SO SASSY. she is about 70 something and runs the town. The branch here has 10 members....no joke. Sorella Rowe took me to Sorella Feris house to meet her and I about died. I just cant believe people live in this city. her house is the most propio italiano casa. when I met her she basically just grunted at me and kept on walkin. I was like what the heck lady be nice to me I'm new!!! So with my tiny Italian I tried winning her over, I complimented how strong of a member she was and how she has probably had a hard time being alone all these years (she never married) but that she is a great example to me, and now she loves me.  While we were talking in her house she could hear someone talking on the street from the window so she goes over and swings it open and starts yelling down at them. I had no idea what she was saying but my trainer was laughing so hard. they do that all the time here. people never want to go to their doors so they just have full conversations through their windows. it is so stinking funny. Once you get Sorella Feri talking she doesn't stop so we were there for several hours and all we did was share a scripture with her hahaha. her house was the tiniest most perfect Italian house i have ever been to. I love that woman more than I dare say. I want to be her one day.

     I was so nervous for Sunday because I want these people to like me and they do not wait for you to catch up. So I knew I would be doing a lot of smiling and nodding having no clue what the heck was going on. There was legit maybe 10 people in our TINY family room sized chapel and it was testimony meeting and I'm thinking how the heck are we going to take up an hour long testimony meeting with less than 10 people? well I was wrong. Italians use every bit of testimony meeting because they love to talk. They talk about EVERYTHING. sometimes they do it just to vent haha. and the men are not afraid to cry. It was so strange, people were having full conversations with each other while others were giving their testimony. The branch President would talk to individual people from the pulpit just about life and what not haha. They use the microphone that is so not needed because the room is the size of a family room. They talk over each other all the time and sometimes when someone isn't fast enough when reading a scripture someone else will just spontaneously start reading it over them to go faster haha. There are constantly like 3 people talking over each other because everyone wants to give their 2 cents. I was laughing so hard. During peoples testimonies they would stop and talk to whoever had just walked into the room from going to the bathroom or stepping outside. needless to say it was a much different  meeting than what I'm used to in America. I bore my testimony and i was SO SCARED. It was so slow and so simple but Sorella Feri was smiling at me the whole time and everyone else really loved it too. They really respect the missionaries here because none of them would be members with out them. Everyone is a convert. and they know how hard this mission is and in specific the city of Siena. Siena is beautiful, but everything has its opposite and the work is very challenging here. They know this and sympathize with us....but only a little haha. So many people tried to talk to me but I was just so clueless what they were saying. It sucks. They asked me to say the closing prayer and while I was saying it I couldn't remember a verb i was trying to conjugate it in my head and was stumbling a bit and all the sudden I could hear Sorella Feri correcting me from her chair, just during the prayer she starts telling me good job and keep going and giving me verbs to say. I had a hard time finishing the prayer without laughing. these people just crack me up. 

     After church we went to visit Francesca, an old convert woman who is in an old folks home, but really is a psych ward because everyone is a little crazy. My trainer was freaking me out because she was like don't be too scared it's going to be weird don't worry its alright. I was like bracing myself for the horror movie, but it was totally fine. Francesca has gone crazy so she can't talk, but she likes to dance and sing so we sang hymns to her and I loved it. We visit her twice a week and I look forward to it. The old people are so sweet. I tried teaching this old cute man Mario but he found out we weren't paid missionaries and thought we were trying to brag about how much money we have since we don't get any money from this work...so that didn't go as planned. Even the crappy old folks home here in SIena  is the most beautiful building to me. My poor trainer, I stop and stare at everything. In the old folks home I was just walking around and saw a door and I went inside and saw the most extravagant catholic chapel ever. I  literally just stood there with my mouth open thinking to myself no wonder we cant get people to our church. nothing is this beautiful. and this is only an old folks home!!!!! I don't blame them for not wanting to come to our back alley family room sized plain chapel when they have been used to this their whole lives. 

     We try to find people all the time and I'm getting a small glimpse at how hard this is going to be. It's so hard to walk up to someone on the street and small talk with them and pull it into the gospel in English much less Italian. I knew this would be my hardest trial because i love talking and I love people,especially these people. They are so over dramatic and hand talkers to the max and do everything with such emotion, but they are kind to one another. I want to talk to everyone. I know I could do great work here if I could only figure out how to talk to them. Nothing is more frustrating in this world than not being able to express yourself. I have faith in God and have faith that he called me here for a reason. I will find the people I am meant to find. No one wants to listen to you. It's very rare you get to talk to anyone and I just want to scream at people walking away or shutting their doors DO YOU REALIZE WHAT WE ARE TELLING YOU-DO YOU REALIZE WHAT IS IN MY HAND. it's so sad.  I just have to continue to be bold. or at least that's what I tell myself. I'm excited to get more comfortable here and really talk to people. I promise if I could just speak I wouldn't stop talking to people, but it is like being handicapped right now. I just want to get to work!  Italy is beautiful but I'm not here to vacation. I want to go teach!!!!!! it's so hard. but all the Italians tell me "piano a piano"  little by little I will get the language. I know they are right. And I know there must be a reason God needed me here in Italy and not in the States. I will let you know when I figure out why haha. Siena has a reputation of being a very hard city to do work in, but I don't really care. It only takes one person to change that and there's something here called greenie miracles.They call it that because this mission has a history of where ever the greenies go miracles happen and I hope that's the case because having a branch of 10 people is pathetic, and I know it's hard on the members and I want to change that for them so badly.

     Other than that, I'm just completely overwhelmed and happy. I love seeing how people live here it's so strange to me. I've already learned a lot about them and their culture. I have a constant headache with how much smoke I've inhaled. hopefully I will get used to that. I haven't felt too unsafe here. The people are very nice and honest for the most part. Grocery stores here make the ones in America look like crap. Fresh everything. Today I had fresh blood-orange, orange juice. mmmmm:) We cook all our own food and members never have us over because they live an hour + away. (FHE was over skype haha) so to everyone who thought I would gain all this weight my first couple weeks, jokes on you. if anything I've lost weight from the disgusting MTC food. I'm really happy here. I love this city and I'm excited for all the people I could meet. I just have to meet them! Thanks to everyone who emailed me (yes mom i got your letter and may or may not have cried) there's no way I have time to email everyone back so I'm sorry, but i love your emails I get them all and I am allowed to read them throughout the week I just can't respond until Pday.  Im going to Firenze (Florence) this week for splits with the STL (I'll be comps with Sorella Taylor for the day and night yaaaaayyyyyy!) So that's another beautiful city I can't believe I get to go to!

     Every Italian has a dog here and it's so hilarious to me. They love their dogs and I am convinced that I will get an investigator through their dogs. That's been my opening line these past couple days "awe i love your dog what's his name, I miss my dogs back home I have two, I'm from America, you're probably wondering why I'm here, well sir I'm a missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (which is the longest name ever and hard to memorize it in Italian) and here's a book, you should read it and hey by the way what makes you happy in life oh did you say your family well the gospel of Jesus Christ blesses families and I know it has blessed mine. yep. please pray for me hahaha

I love you all and miss you all and thank you for so many emails and support!!!

Sorella Williams and her trainer Sorella Rowe



The view from Lindsay's apartment

Francessca

Beautiful Siena!