[Sorry I've been slacking.. Here's Chelsea's email from 9/24/11]
Hey everyone,
So last week we went to the Sistine chapel for p-day. It was really
cool, well fascinating, but really hot. The last two week since I've
been here have been terrible. We a dripping in sweat every day.
Hopefully it starts cooling down soon, because it makes me really not
want to be here. TOday for p-day we decided to stay in Ladispoli where
we have the cool ocean breeze and can avoid public transportation
because I get super motion sick on the buses and the trains. No bueno
because we use them alot. So we went shopping for some sandels for me
this morning. I haven't found any yet, but I found a cute light-weight
skirt and some really cute heels for only 10 €, so I got them. I'm
either going to send them home or leave them in the mission home until
the end of my mission. Haven't decided yet. Right now all the shops
are closed because of Pranzo, so we will get me some sandals after
this.
Okay, to answer questions. The headaches aren't as bad, but I have
basically just started ignoring them. Mom, remember when I got
headaches really bad frequently my freshman year of college? It's like
that all over again. I don't remember what we did to get them to go
away, but it's happening again. And the mosquitos...we still get
attacked. My legs now are covered in huge bumps or scabs. Gross!! I
seriously don't look attractive at all. I look diseased or something.
Some days they are worse than others. We have this plug in thing that
is supposed to keep them away at night, but during the day and
evenings when we are out, I get eaten alive. And it's like only my
legs. Maybe a couple on my arms, but my legs for sure.
So this week: We have a baptisimal date! It's for October 1st. This 15
year old girl Eleonora. We invited her to be baptized and she was a
little timid about it, but her older sister who is not a very good
influence usually was there and told her that if she feels like it is
true then she doesn't need to wait. She should do it. So she agreed.
We told her she needs to ask her parents though. So in walks her mom
and she asks her right there. Her mom wasn't very fond of the idea.
She told her that if she gets baptized, then she won't be catholic
anymore and Eleonora responded, PUNTO! It was funny. But it was cool
because Eleonora shared a really powerful testimony to her mom right
there about how she feels so much happier in our church and it has a
different spirit and when we ask her to do something, we explain the
reasoning and the blessings and let her choose whereas in the catholic
church they just make her do things and she doesn't like it. But mom
and dad aren't happy about the baptism but we are invited to continue
teaching her and doing everything we have been, but baptism is a no.
The date is still on though and we are going to teach Eleonora about
fasting and do a fast with her this September. She's going to get a
great opportunity to see how powerful God is. Let's pray her parents
feel the spirit and change their minds. She also asked bishop if she
could speak in church, so this last sunday she gave a talk. Used the
BOM and everything. It was great. No one could believe that she wasn't
a member.
Matthew and Patience and living together, unmarried but want to get
baptized. They are from Nigeria. They were going to move to thise
other apartment this last week and when they went, the owner turned
them away because they were black. How sad?! Apparently some Italians
are still racist. So now they are looking for another place. Patience
has been coming to church the last two weeks and Matthew said he'll
come with her this time. Let's hope. They are funny. Patience made us
rice with cow stomach a couple days ago. It was super spicy and a
nasty texture. I ate some of it, but couldn't handle it. Yuck! She
said this Friday she is going to make us fried rice with liver. I
don't know why she keeps feeding us these freaky things. Sorella Foote
hasn't eaten anything gross her whole mission until I got here and now
it's all we get fed. I am cursed. But Matthew isn't a very good reader
and so we got him the Book of Mormon story book to read also and it's
so funny. He loves it. He calls it his 'picture book'. And every
picture and sentence he interprets for us and gets so deep with
metaphors. So great. Ha. Very slow learners, but they definitely have
a testimony of God and Jesus Christ. They always say, "by the grace of
god..." and then say something they will do like go to church. ANd
we're trying to teach them that God will help them with anything, but
they need to make the efforts too. If they want to go to church, they
need to go themselves.
So last week we found this lady walking down the street and we gave
her a Plan of Salvation pamphlet and got her phone number. Then the
next day, she called us asking for help because she needed a place to
stay for the next month before she could move into her new apartment.
She offered to pay rent and everything. So we talked to the Ward and
this girl said her and her mom could let this lady (Giusy) stay with
them. This girl is a convert of 5 years and her mom isn't a member at
all. So we meet up with Giusy to take her to meet the girl in the
ward, Natalia. And Natalia is running late, so Giusy takes us to get
some food (pizza as usual), and we talk and eat for a little bit.
Giusy tells us that like 2 days before we met her, she was talking to
a friend by the beach and a passalong card with Christ on it blows
onto her foot, so she looks at it and kisses it. He friend told her to
throw it away bcuz it is someone else's church, but she ignores her
and keeps it. And the night after she met us, she was looking at the
pamphlet and noticed that and the card were the same church. She just
was so shocked. And she was saying how she thinks we are two angels
who came to help her and guide her. And Natalia told us that her and
her mom were struggling financially and couldn't figure out how to
make ends meet and that the amount Giusy offered to pay them was the
exact amount they needed. It is so amazing how the Lord uses other
people in the most intricate ways to bless people's lives. Giusy has
been so busy lately, so we haven't gotten to teach her, but we are
excited to teach her because she has already gotten a taste of what
the Lord can do. Pretty amazing.
Last night, Sorella Foote almost died. She put her huge 2 Liter water
bottle in the freezer during the day and we came home and were getting
ready to do nightly planning and she opened the bottle and was trying
to crush the ice because it was barely harder than slush. And as she
was pressing it in on the sides, water started pouring out the top so
she put her mouth over it to catch the water. And as she kept doing
that, this huge chunk of ice launched into her throat and she started
choaking. I like started hitting her back so she could breath again
and after like 45 seconds she could breath again. It was so scary but
so funny (mom and slla. foote's mom: don't think I am insensitive for
thinking it's funny). She says her throat still hurts cuz the ice like
sliced it. But now when we think about it, we laugh. But it was pretty
scary. She really couldn't breath at all for a good chunk of time.
Everything on her desk got covered in water too. Oh man...what an
eventful night that was.
Well that's about it. THis is hard work. Right now, I wish I was back
home. I miss everyone and everything. I think the heat is what is
making me the most unhappy, but I will continue to press on. I know I
really need to be here to learn how to rely on the Lord more and
really put my life in His hands to He can mold me to the person He
knows I can become. It sure is tough though.
I miss you all and love you so much,
Sorella Heiner
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
One more thing
[Addendum to Chelsea's 8/17/11 email]
Monday was a big holiday here so we had to deep clean the apartment. It's only done twice a year. Everyone closes their shops and goes out and parties. It's called ferragosto and they celebrate when the virgin mary got taken up to heaven to become impregnated and such. It's crazy. But a member invited us over for lunch and we ate seafood! a salad thing with octopus, squid, clams. It was gross looking, but didn't taste TOO bad. I took pictures. I ate it all. But the idea grosses me out. But we also had spaghetti noodles with butter and clams also with garlic. THose ones were actually quite tasty. I was nervous to eat it though, but i liked that. You are all probably so proud of me. Especially after you see the picture of this because it does not look tasty.
Okay, now I am done. Gotta go see the Sistin Chapel. We already walked through the piazza at saint peters. No big deal...right. We're just 20 minutes from the Vatican. Some guy told us to not go brain washing everyone in the heart of religion. Ha!! Brainwash....more like bring truth to their rememberance.
Monday was a big holiday here so we had to deep clean the apartment. It's only done twice a year. Everyone closes their shops and goes out and parties. It's called ferragosto and they celebrate when the virgin mary got taken up to heaven to become impregnated and such. It's crazy. But a member invited us over for lunch and we ate seafood! a salad thing with octopus, squid, clams. It was gross looking, but didn't taste TOO bad. I took pictures. I ate it all. But the idea grosses me out. But we also had spaghetti noodles with butter and clams also with garlic. THose ones were actually quite tasty. I was nervous to eat it though, but i liked that. You are all probably so proud of me. Especially after you see the picture of this because it does not look tasty.
Okay, now I am done. Gotta go see the Sistin Chapel. We already walked through the piazza at saint peters. No big deal...right. We're just 20 minutes from the Vatican. Some guy told us to not go brain washing everyone in the heart of religion. Ha!! Brainwash....more like bring truth to their rememberance.
Week one in the field
[Email from 8/17/11]
Hey everyone!
So this is my first p-day in Italy. It's so extremely hot here! I have been dying of the heat. AND there are SO MANY mosquitos. They eat us alive. I really cannot stand it. I wake up in the middle of the night scratching my legs so bad that the bites turn into scabs. And then I fall asleep again and wake up with more bites. It's very frustrating. Not going to lie, I'm kind of miserable right now. I can't understand
anyone, no one can really understand me (actually I am just to nervous and mess things up), and I am always tired. I've also been having really bad headaches lately. Since the plane to London and it makes me feel like throwing up. I've been drinking alot of water, but I still have a headache. It won't go away. I'm really worried about it actually. I wonder if maybe it's because it is so hot and I am
straining so much every minute to try to understand everyone around me. And I haven't been sleeping well. I don't know.
But even though I am kind of miserable and wonder what I got myself into, I get distracted by all the blessings we have here. My area is actually booming with investigators. Since I have started teaching in my area, we have gotten 4 new investigators. And they all are really solid people. One of them is Anna Morgia and she is catholic and is quite influential in the church. She is a "queen" in africa and has a humanitarian orginization there. She totally agrees about the apostasy
and stuff but hasn't quite grasped the concept that the truth has been restored. But at least she agrees that the truth was lost. She loves the family unit and was having a priest guy staying with her this last week and hated him. He gave the sisters a hard time when they first contacted her and she chewed him out bigtime. Then she was telling us how he preaches one thing and does the opposite and how corrupt he is. He it's funny.
We also have this lady Concettina who is a single mom and dresses like a nun or something. Super Super modest and reads the bible and prays all day long. We were teaching her and she asked to see sorella foote's bible to compare to hers. She found a picture from the ensign of conference and concettina got so excited. We explained conference and the prophet and apostles to her. She really was SO excited about it. So she will most likely come watch conference with us in october. And she does not watch tv or listen to music because she says it's all gross and evil.
Then yesterday we got stood up by three people so we went to contact a lady whose door we knocked on and she let us in. We were teaching her when a good male friend of hers came in. Sat down and asked what the difference between us and jehovas witnesses (TJ's). We told him we don't know all their beliefs but we can teach him ours. So we started teaching and he said he studies with the TJs and didnt like it because they couldnt answer his question of where we will go after this life...Funny how they avoided it and we hope people will ask that because we have the answer. Then he was saying that the bible is the word of god but that it has been translated so many times there is some truth missing in it. ECCO!! Because we know that too and so we taught about the BOM. he liked that. Then he said he doesn't think it's fair that we are all sinners because of what adam and eve did. Ecco! We have an answer to that too. Read from 2 NEphi and he loved it. Gave them a BOM and will meet with them Monday. The Lord truly does know where we are and even if an appointment bombs, he's got the plan figured out and we just need to follow the spirit and we will find someone who will be ready to hear our message.
I know this work is of God an I am excited to share it with people. i just need to learn the language. It is so hard because I have such a strong testimony and desire to share it, but the language is a big barrier for me.
Love you all,
Sorella Heiner
Hey everyone!
So this is my first p-day in Italy. It's so extremely hot here! I have been dying of the heat. AND there are SO MANY mosquitos. They eat us alive. I really cannot stand it. I wake up in the middle of the night scratching my legs so bad that the bites turn into scabs. And then I fall asleep again and wake up with more bites. It's very frustrating. Not going to lie, I'm kind of miserable right now. I can't understand
anyone, no one can really understand me (actually I am just to nervous and mess things up), and I am always tired. I've also been having really bad headaches lately. Since the plane to London and it makes me feel like throwing up. I've been drinking alot of water, but I still have a headache. It won't go away. I'm really worried about it actually. I wonder if maybe it's because it is so hot and I am
straining so much every minute to try to understand everyone around me. And I haven't been sleeping well. I don't know.
But even though I am kind of miserable and wonder what I got myself into, I get distracted by all the blessings we have here. My area is actually booming with investigators. Since I have started teaching in my area, we have gotten 4 new investigators. And they all are really solid people. One of them is Anna Morgia and she is catholic and is quite influential in the church. She is a "queen" in africa and has a humanitarian orginization there. She totally agrees about the apostasy
and stuff but hasn't quite grasped the concept that the truth has been restored. But at least she agrees that the truth was lost. She loves the family unit and was having a priest guy staying with her this last week and hated him. He gave the sisters a hard time when they first contacted her and she chewed him out bigtime. Then she was telling us how he preaches one thing and does the opposite and how corrupt he is. He it's funny.
We also have this lady Concettina who is a single mom and dresses like a nun or something. Super Super modest and reads the bible and prays all day long. We were teaching her and she asked to see sorella foote's bible to compare to hers. She found a picture from the ensign of conference and concettina got so excited. We explained conference and the prophet and apostles to her. She really was SO excited about it. So she will most likely come watch conference with us in october. And she does not watch tv or listen to music because she says it's all gross and evil.
Then yesterday we got stood up by three people so we went to contact a lady whose door we knocked on and she let us in. We were teaching her when a good male friend of hers came in. Sat down and asked what the difference between us and jehovas witnesses (TJ's). We told him we don't know all their beliefs but we can teach him ours. So we started teaching and he said he studies with the TJs and didnt like it because they couldnt answer his question of where we will go after this life...Funny how they avoided it and we hope people will ask that because we have the answer. Then he was saying that the bible is the word of god but that it has been translated so many times there is some truth missing in it. ECCO!! Because we know that too and so we taught about the BOM. he liked that. Then he said he doesn't think it's fair that we are all sinners because of what adam and eve did. Ecco! We have an answer to that too. Read from 2 NEphi and he loved it. Gave them a BOM and will meet with them Monday. The Lord truly does know where we are and even if an appointment bombs, he's got the plan figured out and we just need to follow the spirit and we will find someone who will be ready to hear our message.
I know this work is of God an I am excited to share it with people. i just need to learn the language. It is so hard because I have such a strong testimony and desire to share it, but the language is a big barrier for me.
Love you all,
Sorella Heiner
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Sono arrivata!!
[Email from 8/10/11]
Hello hello family. We have officially arrived in Italy and are at the
mission president's home. President Kelly and his assistants picked us
up from the airport and took us to see the temple grounds. They were
just pouring concrete for the foundation of the temple. It's a HUGE
piece of land and can be seen from the main highway, so it should
stand out like the D.C. temple or the L.A. temple. I'm excited. We
then went to the mission office and they ordered pizza for us and we
ate it and relaxed for a little bit. The pizza was AMAZING!! And they
said it wasn't even the best kind. We went over orientation stuff and
got our credit cards. Then we walked down the street like a half mile
or so to the "villa" which is the mission home. It's beautiful
compared to most of the other buildings. It kind of reminds me of
Mexico or something like that.
Then we hung out and talked with Sister Kelly at the mission home and
then had dinner. She made a fresh salad, rolls, lasagna, and veggies.
It was yummy. We had tiramisu (sp?) and gelato! It was also yummy. We
then got our first assignments. I'm going to a city called Ladispoli.
It's in the suberbs of Rome on the northwest by the coast. My
companions name is...Sister Foote. Yes, the same name as my old
companion but different person. We're sleeping at the mission home
tonight and having breakfast at 8 then heading out on the tram at
10:20 to our areas. Who knows what tomorrow will hold, but I'm too
tired to think about that. Haven't slept for about 36 hours striaight,
so my head hurts alot.
My new address to send me letters is :
Sorella Chelsea Heiner
Via Flavia, 21
00055 Ladispoli, Italia
Okay well send everyone my love. I miss you all and loved talking to
you. Be safe. Work hard.
-Sorella Heiner
Hello hello family. We have officially arrived in Italy and are at the
mission president's home. President Kelly and his assistants picked us
up from the airport and took us to see the temple grounds. They were
just pouring concrete for the foundation of the temple. It's a HUGE
piece of land and can be seen from the main highway, so it should
stand out like the D.C. temple or the L.A. temple. I'm excited. We
then went to the mission office and they ordered pizza for us and we
ate it and relaxed for a little bit. The pizza was AMAZING!! And they
said it wasn't even the best kind. We went over orientation stuff and
got our credit cards. Then we walked down the street like a half mile
or so to the "villa" which is the mission home. It's beautiful
compared to most of the other buildings. It kind of reminds me of
Mexico or something like that.
Then we hung out and talked with Sister Kelly at the mission home and
then had dinner. She made a fresh salad, rolls, lasagna, and veggies.
It was yummy. We had tiramisu (sp?) and gelato! It was also yummy. We
then got our first assignments. I'm going to a city called Ladispoli.
It's in the suberbs of Rome on the northwest by the coast. My
companions name is...Sister Foote. Yes, the same name as my old
companion but different person. We're sleeping at the mission home
tonight and having breakfast at 8 then heading out on the tram at
10:20 to our areas. Who knows what tomorrow will hold, but I'm too
tired to think about that. Haven't slept for about 36 hours striaight,
so my head hurts alot.
My new address to send me letters is :
Sorella Chelsea Heiner
Via Flavia, 21
00055 Ladispoli, Italia
Okay well send everyone my love. I miss you all and loved talking to
you. Be safe. Work hard.
-Sorella Heiner
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Wahoo!! Last P-day in the MTC
[Letter from 8/3/11]
Ciao Ciao!
How is everyone?! I am just going crazy with anticipation right now. I
want to be in Italy so bad, but at the same time, I am so nervous to
get there and not understand anyone! It will be a huge change, but I
know that the Lord will be there with me the whole time.
So I am leaving the MTC at 4 am on Tuesday the 9th. Our flight to
Chicago leaves at 7:15 and we will arrive in chicago around 11:15
their time. I have a 6 hour layover there until London and then to
Rome. I plan on calling home while in chicago. Not sure what time that
will be for you all, but I will call then.
Mom, could you dear elder me phone numbers for Brit, Parker, and Dad
if he isn't going to be home when I call. If you could get the family
to be around when I call, then that would be ideal. THen I can talk to
everyone at once. ALso, would you prefer me call the cell phone or the
house?
This last week has been really tough to stay focused on learning
because we are all just so excited to go to Italy. Our teachers are
even getting excited for us and have been bringing pictures and
telling more stories and such. I can't believe I get to go to such a
beautiful and historic place. I couldn't imagine a place I would
rather go to. And the food will be so good...especially compared to
cafeteria here. But even better will be the people. I can't wait to
meet the people. I've heard they are such open, loving, friendly
people. Serving them will be so amazing!
I don't think anythnig really big happened this week. I got called to
speak in church this last sunday. It was on repentance. It was in only
Italian, but I read most of it...except for my testimony.
Crazy connection...I met this sister in gym the other day who looked
familiar. She said the same thing, so we started talking. She's from
Phoenix. Goes to ASU. We met on a group date last summer. It was
pretty crazy, because she has pictures of me. Small world. Her name is
Jen Jones. (Mark Stoker, you should recognize that name if you are
reading this.)
Also, I am going to send a package to this place called Post Mart.
It's address is 2250 N. University Pkwy (near shopko). The number is
801-373-5900. It's free to send packaged from the MTC there and then
when it is arrived, they call the person I'm sending it to. I'm going
to send it to Brittany. So I NEED brit's number ASAP and address and
I'll just send stuff to here and you can get it when you come to utah
or something mom. Okay? This way we save money.
That's about the end of this week. My love for the gospel is only
growing and I just get more and more excited to go share it to the
Italiani. Today was our last day at the temple for 14 months. So sad.
Oh well...I'll go right when I get home.
K love you all!!
Sorella Heiner
P.S. If anyone wants to write me real letters, send them to my mission
address because they probably won't get here in time.
Ciao Ciao!
How is everyone?! I am just going crazy with anticipation right now. I
want to be in Italy so bad, but at the same time, I am so nervous to
get there and not understand anyone! It will be a huge change, but I
know that the Lord will be there with me the whole time.
So I am leaving the MTC at 4 am on Tuesday the 9th. Our flight to
Chicago leaves at 7:15 and we will arrive in chicago around 11:15
their time. I have a 6 hour layover there until London and then to
Rome. I plan on calling home while in chicago. Not sure what time that
will be for you all, but I will call then.
Mom, could you dear elder me phone numbers for Brit, Parker, and Dad
if he isn't going to be home when I call. If you could get the family
to be around when I call, then that would be ideal. THen I can talk to
everyone at once. ALso, would you prefer me call the cell phone or the
house?
This last week has been really tough to stay focused on learning
because we are all just so excited to go to Italy. Our teachers are
even getting excited for us and have been bringing pictures and
telling more stories and such. I can't believe I get to go to such a
beautiful and historic place. I couldn't imagine a place I would
rather go to. And the food will be so good...especially compared to
cafeteria here. But even better will be the people. I can't wait to
meet the people. I've heard they are such open, loving, friendly
people. Serving them will be so amazing!
I don't think anythnig really big happened this week. I got called to
speak in church this last sunday. It was on repentance. It was in only
Italian, but I read most of it...except for my testimony.
Crazy connection...I met this sister in gym the other day who looked
familiar. She said the same thing, so we started talking. She's from
Phoenix. Goes to ASU. We met on a group date last summer. It was
pretty crazy, because she has pictures of me. Small world. Her name is
Jen Jones. (Mark Stoker, you should recognize that name if you are
reading this.)
Also, I am going to send a package to this place called Post Mart.
It's address is 2250 N. University Pkwy (near shopko). The number is
801-373-5900. It's free to send packaged from the MTC there and then
when it is arrived, they call the person I'm sending it to. I'm going
to send it to Brittany. So I NEED brit's number ASAP and address and
I'll just send stuff to here and you can get it when you come to utah
or something mom. Okay? This way we save money.
That's about the end of this week. My love for the gospel is only
growing and I just get more and more excited to go share it to the
Italiani. Today was our last day at the temple for 14 months. So sad.
Oh well...I'll go right when I get home.
K love you all!!
Sorella Heiner
P.S. If anyone wants to write me real letters, send them to my mission
address because they probably won't get here in time.
Monday, August 1, 2011
2 weeks left!
[Letter from 7/27/11]
Buon Giorno!
So I think this week wasn't very eventful, but here are the highlights...
We got new missionaries on Wednesday. There are 12 of them, 3 of which are sisters. All three of the sisters know some Italian, so they understand a lot of what we say when we speak Italian. One of those sisters was actually in my Italian 101 class at BYU freshman year. She continued to take Italian, where I didn't. But that was kind of fun. The Anziani said they weren't surprised we knew each other because apparently I know everyone. I just don't think they realize that I'm from Mesa (high amount of members) and went to BYU for 3 years...so I have had more time to meet people and make connections.
Speaking of people I do know, remember Dani High's ex-boyfriend, Braedon Lyons. He is here...I've seen him once, but didn't talk to him. Really shocking to see him. So Dani and Kaori, if you read this, write me back in talk to me further about this because it's crazy to me.
Rachel Kiene left on Monday. We got some last minute pictures and exchanged mission addresses. Super excited for her!
Thursday night I got to train the new missionaries with the zone leaders. It was kind of fun actually, but the branch president made me contact a sister in Italian in front of everyone for an example and then he made me say the closing prayer. I was really nervous to mess up or something, but he said I did really well under the pressure and my Italian sounds beautiful...doesn't mean I don't get nervous saying it though. I'm also sure I am going to speak in church this Sunday because I am the only sister who hasn't spoken yet and It's our last real sacrament meeting before we leave. Unfortunately, we don't find out if we are speaking until they are at the podium announcing the program. Kind of stressful, but I am pretty used to it now.
Monday night, at 2:15 a.m. the fire alarm in our building went off. It scared me so bad and I felt like the mom making sure all my sisters were awake and safely out of the building. We waited outside for like 15 minutes until a security guard told us we could go back in. Then the alarm went off again Tuesday evening. They said it was a malfunction in the alarm system and they fixed it. Let's hope so, because I was sure cranky on Tuesday from mission a lot of my sleep.
The temple opened yesterday and we got to do a session today! :-) I only get to go to the temple one more time for the next 16 months. Sad...
Happy Birthday Kendra Kae Ahlstrom!!! Hope you enjoy it! Write me!! (give this to kendra or relay the message please mom.)
Also, mom, thanks for sending me the e-mails of my friends. It's been so great to hear from them. They make me so excited to get out in the field.
Well, we are in the final stretch and we get our flight plans tomorrow. It felt like this day would never come, but now it is almost here. I am nervous but so excited to get out and serve the italian people. I love this gospel and I love getting to share it with others. I love getting to learn about it every day and strengthen my testimony by sharing it. I am so grateful to have this opportunity and have been able to meet the people I have. I am sad that half of my district is going to the Milan mission because I just love them all so much. These boys are definitely 19, but the things they do and say often remind me that they are servants of God and able to take part in the most important work on the earth. It's exciting to know that we get to take part in bringing Salvation unto the souls of those around us. I know Jesus lives and loves us and suffered for us because he loves us. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God who restored this Gospel and translated the precious, sacred book of mormon. I love the prophet today and can't wait to invite others to follow his counsel and watch him at General Conference in October! Always remember that God is only a prayer away and is waiting to give us answers, love, guidance, and blessings. Just come unto him and be willing to submit to his will and follow the commandments. By doing this, we can recieve eternal happiness and joy with those we love!
Love always,
Sorella Heiner
Buon Giorno!
So I think this week wasn't very eventful, but here are the highlights...
We got new missionaries on Wednesday. There are 12 of them, 3 of which are sisters. All three of the sisters know some Italian, so they understand a lot of what we say when we speak Italian. One of those sisters was actually in my Italian 101 class at BYU freshman year. She continued to take Italian, where I didn't. But that was kind of fun. The Anziani said they weren't surprised we knew each other because apparently I know everyone. I just don't think they realize that I'm from Mesa (high amount of members) and went to BYU for 3 years...so I have had more time to meet people and make connections.
Speaking of people I do know, remember Dani High's ex-boyfriend, Braedon Lyons. He is here...I've seen him once, but didn't talk to him. Really shocking to see him. So Dani and Kaori, if you read this, write me back in talk to me further about this because it's crazy to me.
Rachel Kiene left on Monday. We got some last minute pictures and exchanged mission addresses. Super excited for her!
Thursday night I got to train the new missionaries with the zone leaders. It was kind of fun actually, but the branch president made me contact a sister in Italian in front of everyone for an example and then he made me say the closing prayer. I was really nervous to mess up or something, but he said I did really well under the pressure and my Italian sounds beautiful...doesn't mean I don't get nervous saying it though. I'm also sure I am going to speak in church this Sunday because I am the only sister who hasn't spoken yet and It's our last real sacrament meeting before we leave. Unfortunately, we don't find out if we are speaking until they are at the podium announcing the program. Kind of stressful, but I am pretty used to it now.
Monday night, at 2:15 a.m. the fire alarm in our building went off. It scared me so bad and I felt like the mom making sure all my sisters were awake and safely out of the building. We waited outside for like 15 minutes until a security guard told us we could go back in. Then the alarm went off again Tuesday evening. They said it was a malfunction in the alarm system and they fixed it. Let's hope so, because I was sure cranky on Tuesday from mission a lot of my sleep.
The temple opened yesterday and we got to do a session today! :-) I only get to go to the temple one more time for the next 16 months. Sad...
Happy Birthday Kendra Kae Ahlstrom!!! Hope you enjoy it! Write me!! (give this to kendra or relay the message please mom.)
Also, mom, thanks for sending me the e-mails of my friends. It's been so great to hear from them. They make me so excited to get out in the field.
Well, we are in the final stretch and we get our flight plans tomorrow. It felt like this day would never come, but now it is almost here. I am nervous but so excited to get out and serve the italian people. I love this gospel and I love getting to share it with others. I love getting to learn about it every day and strengthen my testimony by sharing it. I am so grateful to have this opportunity and have been able to meet the people I have. I am sad that half of my district is going to the Milan mission because I just love them all so much. These boys are definitely 19, but the things they do and say often remind me that they are servants of God and able to take part in the most important work on the earth. It's exciting to know that we get to take part in bringing Salvation unto the souls of those around us. I know Jesus lives and loves us and suffered for us because he loves us. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God who restored this Gospel and translated the precious, sacred book of mormon. I love the prophet today and can't wait to invite others to follow his counsel and watch him at General Conference in October! Always remember that God is only a prayer away and is waiting to give us answers, love, guidance, and blessings. Just come unto him and be willing to submit to his will and follow the commandments. By doing this, we can recieve eternal happiness and joy with those we love!
Love always,
Sorella Heiner
Yay more time!
[Addendum to her 7/20/11 letter]
So an Anziano had some extra time and said I could use it, so here is the rest of what I wanted to say.
Dad: I loved the story and parable about the drill battery. I read it to the elders and one of them could follow what you were saying. I said that is exactly what you are like. You in a nutshell: brilliant and profound and always thinking aobut hte gospel in some way or another. Reminded me of the 10 virgins, and how our oil lamps are always burning (spiritual power/testi8monies) and we need to constantly add to them by day to day righteous living.
Parker: Brent and Kim are getting married! Yay! Tell her congrats. Congrats on the new calling and getting to work at the temple again. I'm quite jealous of that!
Brit: Finally! I thought you forgot about me! thanks for the packages. They are exactly what I've needed, especially the face stuff. Cordon Bleu is here almost every week and a favorite all over. We don't go to the gym Weds because it's p-day. Temple session at 11 though! Your new BOM reading sounds great! I've decided to read the BOM at least once every week! I love that book with all my heart. I know that through the spirit and the BOM, I can convert any person. They are such powerful tools in the gospel and in conversion!
LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Ciao!
So an Anziano had some extra time and said I could use it, so here is the rest of what I wanted to say.
Dad: I loved the story and parable about the drill battery. I read it to the elders and one of them could follow what you were saying. I said that is exactly what you are like. You in a nutshell: brilliant and profound and always thinking aobut hte gospel in some way or another. Reminded me of the 10 virgins, and how our oil lamps are always burning (spiritual power/testi8monies) and we need to constantly add to them by day to day righteous living.
Parker: Brent and Kim are getting married! Yay! Tell her congrats. Congrats on the new calling and getting to work at the temple again. I'm quite jealous of that!
Brit: Finally! I thought you forgot about me! thanks for the packages. They are exactly what I've needed, especially the face stuff. Cordon Bleu is here almost every week and a favorite all over. We don't go to the gym Weds because it's p-day. Temple session at 11 though! Your new BOM reading sounds great! I've decided to read the BOM at least once every week! I love that book with all my heart. I know that through the spirit and the BOM, I can convert any person. They are such powerful tools in the gospel and in conversion!
LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Ciao!
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