My heart is full

     I can't believe the day has come where I write the last email of my mission. I can't exactly describe how I'm feeling other than saying that my heart is so full!

      Gaia was baptized Saturday and it was amazing. She of course was nervous and there was a moment where the three of us were in the bathroom together getting her ready and she asked if we could all say a prayer to calm herself down a bit and feel the spirit. We were all in tears! Her whole family came to support her as well as several of the ward members. She wasn't planning nor wanted to bare her testimony, but when the time came she changed her mind and stepped up to the microphone and shared the sweetest testimony. Anziano Simkins and I sang the primary song "I feel my saviors love".  A funny moment was when Sorella Anderson and I were at the stairs of the baptismal font to put towels around her and help her change. The minute she walked down the
stairs, Anziano Aglaure was just behind her (he had baptized her) and he looked at me with the most scared face and said "shiz!!" He pulled out from his pocket his phone completely soaking wet and broken hahahaha. He had forgotten it was in his pants when he got in the water and hadn't noticed until he got out. It really took one for the team.

      My birthday was Monday and the ward members and missionaries were so sweet! We taught and said goodbye to Marilena. Tina took us all out for a Philippine dessert. We went to art class which was a party. Everyone was SO nice and got me the cutest little gifts! Then Gaias family came to the church after art class with pizzas and she surprised me with a homemade strawberry cheesecake which was DIVINE.

     Tuesday we had serata famigliare (family home evening) and a bunch of ward members came to
see off me and Anziano Simkins (going to Treviso) and Burkert (going to Novara). We all got a chance to bare our testimonies and then we partied. I have never felt so much love! They were very hard goodbyes.

      Today Gaia is taking us out for Pday, from there it's just English class tonight and packing.

      My mission has meant so much to me. I don't think it's even really hit me yet. It feels like my heart is being divided all over Italy. I'm grateful for the things I've learned, how I've come tunderstand the gospel, for forever friends and memories, for more carbohydrates than anyone would need in a lifetime, and understanding a small portion of Gods love for his children.

      Thank you for so much love and support and prayers. I know this is the true church of Christ. I love my Savior.

Vi voglio bene,

Sorella Williams

Gaia's Baptism

Saying good bye to Marilena

Cimiano ward birthday party for Sorella Williams

Birthday cheese cake from Gaia

Scambios and Gelato

Ciao!!

This week was great!

     Thursday we taught Marilena and then took a train to Alessandria. I was with Sorella Mays who is a brand new missionary so it was fun to work with her! We took a train to Asti and met with the bishop's wife who has THE CUTEST little down syndrome baby I've ever seen. Then we went and did some finding which is why they asked us to come to Alessandria, to help them with street contacting and finding people. And I got the compliment I've
wanted MY WHOLE MISSION. I thought it was going to be impossible..but finally..two groups of people that we talked to separately both thought I was ITALIAN! What a success. Everyone knows I'm American which is obvious, or they guess English or French. But they asked me if I was from Varese or Bolzano which are two northern cities where very white Italians live!! We did it people, 18 months later and we finally did it.

     After talking to some cool people we rewarded ourselves with gelato. The best gelato I've had yet my entire mission. And it was for free thanks to the member working there:):):) then we were cutting it close to get on the train back to Alessandria, so we ran to the station and jumped on the train and started talking to this way nice lady named Alexandria. 30 minutes pass which is about the time to arrive at Alessandria and the train stops and says we've arrived in Torino...we were shocked. We had taken the wrong train! We quickly got her information and jumped off the train. We had taken the train going in the complete opposite direction. I don't know that area very well and was completely distracted talking to the lady! So we run and get on the right binario and wait for the right train going back to Alessandria. We were just laughing because Torino is completely out of the zone much less their area. Oops. The train comes by and we get on and my phone rings and it's Anziano Harris saying "Williams.. What are you doing in Torino!!!" Just so happens in the whole 10 minutes I was in Torino, his train had gone by going back to Milano and had seen me on the binario!! Hahahaha. We ended up sitting by a nice guy named Luciano on the way back and gave him a Book of Mormon! So we just agreed it was meant to be. Torino was pretty from the window haha! We saw a cool castle!

     We went to the gelato festival with Gaia at the Milano Castle!!! It was the best. Some of the best and worst gelato I've ever had haha. One kind was made with donkey milk and hemp seeds, another was licorice with rosemary. Just scary. But we tried all of them of course. It wasn't easy but we suffered through. We also planned out the baptismal program for Gaia.Saturday is coming quick!! We are so excited and she is so ready. I love her so much.

     We had a karaoke party that night. The hits this time were, I believe I can fly by Fratello Huang, Sargent peppers Lonely hearts club band by Gabriele, and immortals by George.

     Saturday was good, we played soccer and saw our investigator Lorenza. She's a 21 year old student here in Milan from Sicily. We are excited to keep meeting with her.

        Church was interesting. We had a bunch of new people there. 3 new couples. Our favorite lady got up to the pulpit and prophesied that in 15 days an earthquake will happen and the second coming will begin because god told her. Everyone freaked out and the bishop escorted her off the stand. Not one of the new people stayed for the second hour. So that was nice.

     Monday we had a scambio and I went with Sorella Orr. It was great. We had our last dinner with Rita before she leaves town for the summer and we taught her sister the restoration. We also met and gave a Book of Mormon to the lady we talked to on the metro last week Elena.

     Today for pday we are going to the Scala Opera House! We are so excited. We will be seeing La Boheme tonight with Sorella Tullis and her new comp Sorella Huntzinger (Lo Russo got surgery and is recovering in the mission home and she will go home with me in my group) I'm so lucky to live in Milan!

     I'm noticing more and more the difference between understanding/accepting the truthfulness of the gospel, and living it. I'm entering into my last full week as a missionary and I seriously cannot believe it. I am grateful that although my circumstances are going to be changing soon, the simplicity of the church of Jesus Christ does not. I love my savior, and I know that this church is true.

Love Sorella Williams


Gelato festival at the castle




Alessandria scambio


Varenna


Last week's Pday, we ran into the Como Sorelle in Varenna

My Last Zone Conference

Salve,

     Last Thursday was officially my last zone conference. It was nice to be together with the two Milano zones. One, because most of my best friends are in those zones and two, it's always nice to be with President and Sorella Allen and hear their counsel. I bore my last testimony and we huddled and sang the mission hymn (for me) the last time.

     We had a scambio that night with the Genova sisters. Sorella McCormick and I went to the Scotto house and taught the word of wisdom. It is not an easy thing for them. I don't think it is for anyone if we don't already make it a habit and we don't try to justify different parts of it based on what we feel it should include or not include. BUT her and her kids came to church that Sunday and it was a success! Finally!!!

     We also saw Milagros and then Fernando and Eglayda that Friday. Their baby Grace is getting so dang big. I got here when she was just a bundle, now she's walking around and yelling at everyone, it's the best. They are moving to Paris soon and we are stoked for them. It's what's right for their family.

     Saturday was a crazy day. We saw a less active, Giovana (who came to church Sunday!!!) then saw Fanny and Aydee like always. A miracle happened in Muggio and a family Sorella Anderson had taught while she was there were finally getting baptized so we got permission to go to the baptisms. Muggio is very close to Milano. It was so special for Sorella Anderson and Sorella Orr! And I liked running around just being the helping hand. Plus the guy who baptized them was hilarious and was so proud of himself that he had his OWN photo shoot in his white clothes by himself before the service which I was more than happy to be his photographer (pictures attached).

     Then Dimitri picked us up and took us to our favorite Peruvian restaurant he has been dying to take us to again before he moves to Pavia. Those Peruvians know what they are doing. While we were eating we got a phone call that Sorella Tullis's companion Sorella Lo Russo broke her ankle while playing soccer in Navigli. Sorella Tullis needed to go into a trio with us while they figured out Lo Russo's situation. Which was so sad for her and her ankle....but i would be lying if I say it hasn't always been my secret fantasy being in a trio companionship with my two fav people. All three of us went to church the next day and it was nice having an extra person to help. We usually just run around frantic all of church to get everything done, but her being there was the best. Sorella Tullis just has a way at making everything better!

      After church we went to a tower in Garibaldi that is only free on Sunday. Tina and George have been asking to take us to it forever. It was so cool! You take the FASTEST elevator. 40 floors in 25 seconds. You can see ALL of Milan from the top. It was amazing. When we left we were stopped by police in the road. It was blocked off because the tour of Italy bike race was happening right then and there! So all these bikers were flying by which was way cool to see. Then we went straight to the hospital to see Sorella Lo Russo. She was such a trooper because let me say I cannot handle Italian hospitals. They are absolutely ridiculous. It's an absolute sauna in there, it's a system where if you leave your bed you basically lose your spot in the hospital (it's like a weird waiting game), and they come and see you when they can. Not to mention that there are other people all in her room. Most of which are stark naked because it's SO DANG HOT. But she was optimistic and every time we would wheel her down the hallway she would be like "hey Francesco, lookin good! Hey Maria how's the elbow! Ciao Flavio keep on trying don't give up!" We were like how the heck did you get to know all these people so fast hahaha?

     Monday we took Sorella Tullis to the hospital and dropped her off with Lo Russo. Sorella Anderson and I went to talk to some Comune people about service projects. This nice lady named Giovana told me she knew I was American and not English the second she saw me because I'm a hand talker. Then we got some sandwiches and brought them back to the hospital for them. We stayed as long as we could until we had to go to art class. Gaia was back in town from Modena yay! So we got to see her. Then we went directly over to Giuseppe and Rosella's house. Rosella is the only member in their family. They have two kids, Stefano is 30 and Chiara who is 22. Chiara is the sweetest, but has never had much interest in the church. Chiara called us because she just found out she's pregnant and needed us to come over and talk with her about it all. So we went and she had her friend Denise there (who was the best). We had a really good conversation and she felt much better. She asked us to come again so we are happy about that.

     Tuesday we went to see Blessing WAY out there where she lives, but she wasn't home and I felt bad because I was the one who said we should go even though we hadn't heard back from her. But Sorella Anderson said it just means there's someone else. And she was right! We met this lady named Elena on the bus and then we all walked together to the metro. We taught the WHOLE restoration on the crazy loud metro and it was such a cool experience. I've never been able to share with someone the first version on a metro before.

     Today for pday we went to a place called Varenna! It is beautiful.Then we took a boat to Bellagio.  It was so fun...and hot. We ended up talking to so many Italian store owners because everyone was fascinated at how we were American but could speak italian (because it's such a tourist area). We taught the restoration and shared with a painter the first vision with her in her store. Then we bought these random art paintings from her...then had a bit of buyers remorse..then missed the bus...then camped out in Bellagio for another 3 hours because we were stuck there..then had an awkward encounter with half naked grown men swimmers..but all is well now and we are safely back in Milan meno male.

     I had a boost of faith this week and was reminded that at any minute someone around me could be perfectly placed by the lord in order to her the gospel. I'm grateful for the mission.

     Vi voglio bene


4 companions in one conference!


My last zone conference




At the hospital to visit Sorella Lo Russo

Milano

Tour de Italia bike race



The Italian man doing the baptisms!

Time is flying!

Ciao!  This week went by very very fast.

     We went to a ward party to say goodbye to Susana who has been my bestie in the ward since November. She is going on a mission to Toronto Canada. I'm so excited for her, but it was hard to say goodbye to someone who has been with me my entire time here in Milan!  At the party we took time to let anyone who wanted to say some words to Susana. There were a lot of tears and a lot of love! We brought Gaia with us and she was shocked. She leaned over to me and said "my survival mode is breaking down" She has said 'survival mode' to us several times explaining her home situation and how expressing how you feel or feeling love at home just isn't a thing. She grew up in very difficult situations and for that reason shut herself down to letting herself feel much emotion. Church is becoming her safe refuge and it is so good to see that in her. 

     We had a scambio and I did mine with Sorella Roseno, who is the best. She is from Wyoming and has the most incredible conversion story. She grew up baptist and was preached to all her life about how Joseph Smith was a fraud. She had a friend who was a member and was eventually challenged to read the book of mormon to know if it was true. So she began reading it to prove her friend why it wasn't true. She was baptized a month later. Her parents were very against it, and of course shocked when soon after baptism she decided to serve a mission. She is a very strong girl and we taught some great lessons together! The buses were cancelled Sunday so we had a surprise VERY long walk back to the metro haha.

     We introduced Gaia Monday to the baptismal interview questions before having her interview this Friday with Anziano Simkins. Afterward we talked for a long time. She said how it now just seems so official and questioned if she was ready. We talked to her a little bit about her transformation in these past couple months/weeks. There is no denial that this was a heaven sent intervention in her life at exactly the right time. The spirit was strong and she bore testimony so strong of the gospel and of God and the truthfulness of it all. We were all in tears. Sorella Anderson said "Gaia, you just bore your testimony!" and she said ".............I did?" she bore her first testimony and had no idea she had! The gospel is so real and if you allow it to, it will change your life. 

    At ONE DAY'S NOTICE (thanks a lot Anziano Brooks) we found out we needed to go to Alessandria and participate in the Torino zone and Genova zones conference and do a training. It was such a good conference and I knew it was no coincidence that I was there because I felt like I received a lot of answers to some of the prayers I have been having lately. They asked me to share my testimony at the end of the conference since I'm finishing my mission (which I also was not prepared for because usually they don't have you do that if it's not technically your zone). It's very rare I get through it without tearing up! I'm just so grateful to have been able to serve. We have the Milano est and milano ovest conference this Thursday and we are doing a training at that one as well. I will again bare my leaving testimony at the end of it. It's like a spiritual and emotional roller coaster my word! They are killing me!!

     I got some really terrible news this week that a boy in my Sunday school class who I had grown up with in Colorado passed away. It really shook me up honestly. My heart completely goes out to his family. They have always been so good to me and my family and are undeserving of this kind of heart break, but I also know there is a different mourning process for people who have an understanding of the plan of salvation. It doesn't make it hurt less, but it gives you hope and an assured faith that all families sealed will always be together. 

     Today for pday I bought a shirt, and ate pizza. Hope you have a great week!

     Love, Sorella Williams

The Torino zones and Genova zones 




Art class!

Buona Festa Della Mamma!

Hi

     Buona festa della mamma! Happy Mother's Day! I got to talk to my family which was great. It was easier saying goodbye this time knowing I only have 4 weeks left...which is blowing my mind. But at the same time bitter sweet. I really love the mission.

     Also buon anniversario to my parents! They have been married 26 years. So grateful for my family!

     This week was good! We met a lady named Pina who is recovering in the same hospital room as a member we went to visit. One thing led to another and we were able to teach the entire restoration! We swapped information and she's excited to learn more.

      Contact has been made with Marilena!!! Whooooooo! We called her and finally she answered sounding defeated saying "ciao Williams" hahaha she knew exactly who it was. We met and she explained that she got nervous about baptism, felt embarrassed, and avoided us. She knows this is the true church and has a testimony, but needs a little more time to be worthy. Nothing wrong with that. There will never be a time where it is comfortable beginning to live a commandment if you've never had to live it before. It takes work and faith. We reassured her we loved her and then ate gelato, so all was well.

     We had our ward karaoke party!!!!  It was so successful, tons of people came. Some being people we had never met before and a few came to church the next day!  At first everyone was a little awkward and we had stupid wifi problems, but we did our best to get people excited and it worked. Which included me singing a borderline inappropriate duet with Fabian to Greece's "you're the one that I want" to get things going. Let's just say we all took one for the team. It was so fun to see people start to get into it and everyone had a good time. We've already been getting asked when the next one is.

     Gaia has a super sweet black eye from a rugby game and is doing great:)

     It has officially gotten hot and the fan has already made its way 10 inches from my face at night in bed. Oh Italian summers.

     Today for pday we went to a little mountain town called Morbegno near lake Como. It was fantastic. We hiked right in the alps!  We followed a trail to a tiny town wayyy high up. It was a harder hike, but so beautiful. We laughed because right as we made it, completely out of breath and SO tired, a bus passed by us. Apparently the whole time we could have taken a bus straight up to where we were going hahaha. It's ok, it was worth it.

Vi voglio bene


Me and my fave summer Italian flowers that smell like fart. Me and my fart flowers.


1/3 of the Cimiano Karaoke party


Morbegno. Tiny mountain-top cities.

    

Last Consiglio

CIAO

This week went really fast. 

     We saw our investigators and a lot of less active this week which was great. We met a couple of new potential people, all through soccer and a couple of member referrals. We ate some good food with funny people. 

     We went to the Castro family's house (I love them). We brought Gaia with us and it was a blast. We ate papusas:) In the end we taught about the word of wisdom and why we choose to respect our bodies knowing that they are gifts from God and we treat them as temples. There are parts of the word of wisdom that can seem small or unimportant on the scale of things, but we willingly choose to follow because we don't let the little things keep us from receiving greater blessings. It went really well!

     Sunday we ate with Tina after church!  We had a small message about forgiveness which apparently was something she needed because she began to cry and we didn't know why. She explained that some people in her life have done her wrong and it has been near to impossible to forgive them or to get past it. It broke my heart. We talked about what forgiveness means and why it is possible to clean and heal us because of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the peace He gives to us. 

     We had consiglio Monday with all the capi and STLs. I had the BEST reunion ever with Sorella Tullis who is now STL in Navigli!! So fun to talk about the past 4 transfers and all that has happened to us in that time apart! We received such amazing counsel from President about the power of our calling and how that translates into missionary work. In the past 4 to 5 months we have set records for our mission in baptisms per month. We will accomplish our mission wide goal of 300 baptisms before the completion of the Temple. It is so exciting! It is because of high expectations and high love. As missionaries all of us really are united and love each other so much. We are all working towards common goals and trying our best. We are being blessed because of our efforts and because we love the Italian people!

     I was asked to bare my testimony at the end of the meeting as my "twinkling" testimony since it is my last transfer and last time at the meeting. That was a little surreal! I just always remember older missionaries doing the same and thinking that would never actually be me. I am just so grateful for this time to be a missionary and for all the things I've learned and been able to be apart of. I know this is the true church on the earth today. And I love this mission. 

     Also a lady tried to perform an exorcism on me over the phone because she is convinced I am possessed! Neat!

And a scary drunk guy came into the church when Sorella Anderson and I were there alone and freaked us out a bit, demanded to see the Padre of the church, yelled, smashed an umbrella in half, and then left!  fun stuff! 

     Today for pday I had a weirdly delicious orange and walnut spaghetti with sorella Tullis by the Duomo. So I would say it was a pday well spent We only live classy here in Milan. 

vi voglio bene


The umbrella after the crazy drunk guys smashed it


Consiglio on Monday


Sorella Allen


Reunited with Sorella Tullis!