Somewhere over the rainbow..

Like I said, the more south you go, the crazier it gets. We taught a crazy woman the other night. She is less active because she is still angry with her sisters and her daughters,.... thus she hates the church (or at least the members). She went off on a rant and said some scary words that (thank goodness) I did not understand... There was one tension filled moment where she turned to me and sang *Somewhere over the rainbow*  IT was so uncomfortable and weird.

Okay I want to talk more about the culture! Everything is so new and different here. Okay the people, for one thing, are so open! They tell it like it is. They tell us their feelings, they show emotions like no other! They look at our nametags while on the bus or walking through the city streets and ask what they mean. They ask if we are mormon and what we believe.

Italians are also so helpful!! There have been several times where we will approach a vendor or a bus passenger for help with directions and suddenly, 10 other italians pop out of nowhere with more advice. It is the funniest thing. They just completely stop what they are doing in order to help you.

We live in a big city. We live in one of the biggest areas!...so that means a lot of walking! Thank goodness we we take the bus as well. The walking is definitely nice after youve eaten a wonderfully fried pranzo (lunch) with several courses:) yay

The buildings are beautiful and so antique looking, they have wonderful balconies with plants and flowers draped on them. It is definitely a euro tap look (mom) I love it. The buildings are so colorful!

Okay the food is amazing. Apparently Sicily has amazing food! I tried my first cannollo (cannoli- pluralized). It was a dream in a roll with ricotta cheese. It was so amazing. There is so much fried food here, it makes me so nervous. Sicily missionaries are known for gaining the pounds. Grrrreat.

Italians use their hands to communicate! It is the funniest thing. I have found myself putting my hands together and shaking them one or twice. It is so interesting! Dad, we have had a couple drivers shake their hands at us. I couldnt help but think of the time you experienced the same. It felt so great.

The weather is HOT! Its humid. Nothing like provo.

Scenery is beautiful. We live on the coast with the beautiful ocean view and palms outisde our balcony.

PEOPLE BOTCH HERE. Bacciare means to kiss. They kiss european style on the cheeks. It is the sweetest thing. I have probably botched like 100 times already (with women of course) However, if a man tries to botch you and they are not aware of the rules, you are just supposed to let it happen and then tell them the rule. I BOTCHED AN OLD MAN. SO WEIRD.

Okay I met some wonderful investigators last week, Rosario and Valeria. They are the cutest young couple who have been investigating for about a year. They are so sharp and their testimonies of the gospel are so strong! It was so nice to meet some normal young people interested in our message. They love the scriptures, they are just struggling with some word of wisdom problems. They are so close! Apparently they had set a date, but still struggled with smoking so it never happened.

Finding: We dont do a whole lot of finding here- mostly because there are so many less actives! Apparently there are 700 people in our ward, but only 100 people come! So sad! We have done finding a couple of times. We hand out flyers for the church about our free english course. It is an awesome and effective way to strike peoples interest and then they ask who we are. We teach a free english course twice a week and share a spirtual thought at the end.

Antonio, the funny italian man who always speak english to us was at english course last week. AFter corso di inglese we began putting the chairs away. He refused to let Sorella Bair and me do so. He took the chairs from us and then said forcefully *No no no. I am a MAN* HAha it was great.

I recently came across Elder Hollands *Lord I believe* talk from last spring. Many times we have doubts. In fact, we all have doubts. I have doubts with my ability to communicate or  comrephend the people. Rosario and Valeria struggle with the Word of Wisdom, Tina has doubts about receiving revelation; however, we must lean on the belief that we do have and pray for help! *Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief* We ALL have doubts so we need to pray to overcome them and lean on the fait hwe do have! *Hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes* I love that. All we need is a little faith, so when we face opposition and trials in life, we need to hold strong to our faith. That is SO important. I am definitely struggling with the language and being able to connect with the people, but it is so important that I hold on to my faith and trust that I can overcome. We should not let our doubts stand in the faith of our faith. *Be not afraid, only believe*.

Service is so wonderful! I truly know that through service to Gods children, we can find the greatest joy! We taught english to an italian girl the other day and shared a spiritual thought and she was so grateful and receptive to it! It is so great to make people so happy! I know that this will be the most joyous time thus far in my life. I am so excited to embark on these experiences.

Love you all! Grazie veramente!!

Sorella Clyde

My home address is-

I will probably be here through January- most likely

Sorella Samantha Clyde
Via Nizzeti 54
Tremestieri Etneo CT 95030
ITALIA

Italy is real. say what.

I am in the middle of an incredible Mediterranean island. What is my life? The name of my area is Catania, Sicily. We are in the boot of Italy. I am going crazy. It boggles my mind how different life is here. Okay first things first. I cant use apostrophes so dont judge me:) or I prob can but I cant find them! :)

I have the most wonderful companion in the world, Sorella Bair. She is seriously so kind and patient and beautiful and sweet. She is so sweet and likes to laugh a lot. She is so perfect for me. I feel so blessed! We live with two other sorelle in a huge apartment. OH and the best part is we have the most incredible view outside our balcony. I feel like I am living a dream. Outside our window are palm trees, beautiful italian buildings, and THE OCEAN. YEP. We get to experience the incredible sunrise every morning at 630. That is probably my favorite sight so far! We went running on my first morning and I just stared at the sunset the whole time. We then spotted 3 different cruises... I freaked out. *Okay so those are people vacationing here.....and I LIVE HERE. Like seriously.This ocean is pretty much my backyard* WOW. Sicily is incredible. UGh I which I could paint a picture for you and explain everything. 

We were in Rome for one day where the assistants drove us through Rome for about a half hour. Sorella Price and I were snapping pictures like crazy because...I was in Rome. Haha. And I wasnt sure if I would ever serve there or not. 

Jet lag was the worst thing ever, but Im surviving.

Okay I constantly feel like I am in a movie. We have met some pretty interesting italians so far. So first. I had my first lesson with Sorella Bair on day one in Siciliy. It was this old woman named Tina. She is old and crazy. Apparently, the further south you go in Italy the more crazies you will find. Turns out, I am in the most southern part. WOOHOO! Love it.

Okay Tina was very interesting. Sorella Bair asked me to give the opening prayer. Well turns out my italian isnt the fastest that it could be, so Tina stops me halfway through my prayer *its okay. you can say it in english* ..I continued with italian. Hah so awkward. Then we watched Finding Faith in Christ and then she went on this rant of what we choose to use our tithing for. She didnt understand why we didnt use all of it for poor people (why we used it for building churches and temples). Well, for those of you who dont know.. We do use tithing for humanitarian aid. She was pretty much yelling at us..or maybe to us. Haha apparently she got in a fight with a member last week about the same topic. Then when we asked her to finish the lesson with a prayer, she said multiple catholic prayers (to spite us). Yay. Oh, but she was sure to send us home with some delicious yet fried goodies:) Hahaha typical italians. 

There is another man who is investigating with the Anziani (oh by the way. We have the largest district. We have four sorelle and four anziani) His name is Antonio. He was at FHE the other night. He has been learning english, so insisted on speaking english with us. When I would respond in italian (bc I am trying this SYL thing), he would be disappointed haha. HE WAS NOT EVEN REAL!!!! OH MY GOODNESS. He seriously seemed like your stereotypical italian actor in a movie!!! WIth the italian accent and everything! OH IT WAS SO FANTASTIC haha. Apparently he is trying to learn about the United States because its his dream to go there. He couldnt remember the capital of NJ (he is trying to learn all the capitals) When we said goodbye, he agreed to research more about my state when I saw him the next week. Haha

We were in centro for a lesson with the Anziani and on our way home, a man on a motorcycle popped out of nowhere! It was Antonio! It was so random and hilarious. He said he would give us a ride but knew that it was against the rules. He reminded us to keep our bags close to our bodies and then we said Ciao. He shook our hands again and then in perfect english said *It is very nice to meet you!* in his amazing totally stereotypical italian accent. Hahhaa I died.

Speaking of laughing at his accent, people are probably totally making fun of me for my horrible italian. Hahah I seriously feel like such a baby. It is so frustrating, but I am learning quick! A lot quicker than the MTC. It is awesome! Actually Sorella Bair is really impressed with my italian (my grammar). She has made several comments about it, but that could just be her really really sweet side. I had to share my testimony in sacrament meeting. She said that sisters typically share one sentence (and yet I was prepared to give about a paragraph or so:) teehee. Well I gave my testimony and I happened to say *soffrito* (fried) and the woman sitting nearby scofffed *HEH soffrito!* (kinda an obnoxious mean lady) and I quickly corrected myself *sofferto* Meno male! (thank goodness).  I prayed that I would have the Spirit with me as I did so I and really think I did. Sorella Bair and many members were so impressed with my italian. One lady could not beleive I had been here only three days *it seems like you have been here for two months!* WOOHOo. I still feel frustrated (I can understand the missionaires, but the italians speak so quickly! Its crazy!)

ITALIAN SINGING! The funniest thing ever. They totally just go for it during church hymns. They seriously just make up the music as they go (tone deaf, attempted operatic voices, and holding notes longer than necessary). RELIEF SOCIETY was probably the craziest thing I have ever experienced. No more sweet, simple American lessons. When people gave comments, they GAVE comments. They were so passionate as they yelled and spoke with their hands. Also, there could be five women speaking (yelling) at once.

There is an army base in our area called Sigonella. Sooooo we get to go to a english ward as well. So I experienced something very different in relief society later that day. Six sweet, quiet women in a room who teared up. It was somewhat refreshing for me:)

ITALIANS ARE SO OPEN! We did some finding the other day. Yes, I did in fact. Well I said about three phrases and then handed it over to Sorella BAir. They are so open and willing to talk to us. (people we just met in a park or a bus) I was amazed!!! They even ask questions! Ive heard, the further south you are in italy, the most open they are. But seriously, they will ask what our beliefs are. It is awesome.

We have so many investigators (well some have been investigating for about a year) but still! We are teaching lessons! It is so great!

Also, the Waddoups have a blog- search for something like President Waddoups Italy Rome mission. There may or may not be some pictures up from our first night! And I may or may not look very jet lagged and gross:)


Much love!

Sorella Clyde

Last post in the MTC!

Can I just say that I am SO ready for airport contacting time!! We roleplayed our airplane conversations yesterday. We rocked it. Okay, don't get cocky. It was great though:) We're praying to meet some italians on our Frankfurt to Rome flight.

Salt Lake
CHicago
Frankfurt
ROMA!

BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!
Yes! the package came on time!!! IT's A BIRTHDAY MIRACLE!! THank you for all the goodies and notes and STICKS (ken) loved them! So cheesy and perfect. Another birthday present: I got stitches!! WOOHOO! Can cross that one off my bucket list! Yes, I have a mole on my arm that has started to change in the last week....so now it's gone. and 2 stitches have taken it's place. I know gross. I'm sorry, but I feel so hardcore. I keep looking at it.

We had another lesson with Luigi on my bday. I told him how it was my birthday and he was overjoyed. In fact, he stood up as soon as I told him (I was thinking....oh no. what's happening now. Is this another weird ritual or something?) Turns out, he was prepping himself to SING for me. Yep, he sang a fantastic happy birthday to me in italian with the hand gestures, italian vibratto/accent and everything. I died. Seriously made my birthday.:):) ALSO...during language study we experienced a fun little firework show outside our building. Such a fun treat.

Last week!! We helped demonstrate teaching for the newbie missionaries!! It was a great learning opportunity....to see how we can teach in English. Turns out, I never learned how to teach in english. Hahah nah, it was great!! I definitely learned a lot- especially when put in front of a really sassy Hawaiian lady who rejected every question I asked her. So feeling a little nervous (i guess), when I wanted to tell her of the gospel joy of families, the first question that came to mind was "So do you have family? Do you have parents?....." (Oh no. Hopefully she thought I meant "Are her parents still living?".....Nope, she spit back some sassy comment of course, "Nah. I was just a test tube baby." Hahha yay. 4 weeks into the mtc and I have all the newbies laughing at me. Wow, fantastico. Our other lesson went a lot more smoothly. I always have fears when I see other missionaries look at me and I automatically assume they were in that classroom with me that day. Okay, it's fine. Sister Price and I still laugh about it.

General conference was incredible. The MTC is the most spiritual place. I am amazed, but the Spirit last weekend was stronger than it has ever been. I loved all the talks on missionary work! Elder Ballard especially! I love how he said something like "Everytime you bring someone's hand to Christ's hand figuratively, you WILL feel the love of the Lord for you and for that person." SO TRUE.

One talk that really stood out to me was Elder Edward Dube. Wow. "Faith always points to the future!!"

Read Helaman 5. Own it, study it, love it.

The Mtc is such a fantastic place. I am incredibly amazed by the things I have learned here and the growth I have had. I am so grateful everyday!! I love you all so much!!

SEEK TO FIND THE ONE! Take Elder Ballard's challenge to share the gospel with at least one person from now until Christmas and millions will receive the blessing!!

Love you all! Arrivederci!

Sorella Clyde

In bocca allupo!!

In other words: Good luck!! It translates to "in the mouth of the wolf". That is how italians say good luck. Don't ask. It's kinda like "Break a leg!"

This last week went so quickly! I am amazed at how the MTC is flying. I have 12 days. Next P-day I will talk to you about calling from the airport!

Yes, it's true my face was not shown on screen in the Relief Society meeting. I guess Steve must have zoomed in a ton to find me. Turns out, the cameramen decided not to show ONE part of the choir. Yay:) I was pretty bummed when we watched in at the devotional, but I just felt so grateful to have been part of this incredible opportunity. Wow there are hardly words to express the Spirit there that night. I felt an incredible amount of peace as we watched the whole conference center fill with beautiful women of the church and then to see President Monson walk into the room. Complete peace. I felt so grateful for the opportunity to bring these beautiful messages through music to the world. It was an unforgettable expereince to see apostles of God as I am a missionary for the church. Before the meeting started, a sister sitting next to me said "How cool is it that we get to see the back of President Monson's head?  I mean when do you ever get to see the back of his head. Not in general conference...not in pictures." HAHHA yep, she had a great point.

The Anziani in our zone made a comment how great it is that President Monson always uses "closed quotes" and how they hope to count how many times he does so this weekend. My challenge for all of you for the week!

The latest devotionals have been fantastic! One member of the MTC branch presidency spoke about the importance of having daily, sacred devotionals with the Lord at 10:15. Through this, we would have even greater success on the mission. It was such a profound idea. It made me realize how the Church of Jesus Christ is all centered on the ability to PONDER. It is such a fantastic tool that we have in receiving revelation. It is was what we teach our investigators. The mind is a powerful tool, so we must use it how God would have us use it. Dad, thank you for that amazing article on the control and power of the mind and how we can expand our knowledge. So fascinating!. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of pondering. When we ask thought-provoking questions in lessons, we are simply helping investigators to know how to ponder. It is something that I hope to really strive for!

Last night a member of the Seventy spoke to us: Elder Baxter  about the Mormon church compared to all other christian churches. It was so great. He used biblical references that clearly show that our beliefs are true regarding the Godhead, how we believe we can become like God, and how we do not remember Jesus Christ by the cross but by the resurrection. The Atonement is such a powerful and beautiful knowledge that we have. The idea that Jesus Christ suffered and paid for all of our sins. I am so grateful for the gift of the Atonement. I know that it blesses our lives everyday!.

Elder Baxter and his wife are converts to the church. At the end of his talk he talked to us as if we were the missionaries who contacted him. It was POWERFUL. Wow. I got emotional as he stated "Thank you. I will never forget you. I cannot repay this debt to you." He then mentioned how because of this, he was able to be married in the temple and have many kids who have gone on to have eternal families of their own.

By small and simple things, are great things brought to pass. In district meeting we discussed how we have no idea of the effect we can have on people. Through knocking on this man's door, great things came to pass! I was reminded of that time when the family was really into doing missionary work several years back. I drove to the gas station one day with Kennas car (which had a utah license plate). The man who pumped my gas (yes, NJ people don't pump their own gas), asked if I was Mormon since I was from utah. I replied yes and never took the opportunity to invite this man. The next week I intentionally drove back on that saturday morning to see him working there again! I prayed that he would fill up my car and he did. I then took this great opportunity to ask if he would like to talk to the missionaries. He said....No. I drove home in failure. When my mom made me tell the missionaries the next day, I reluctantly did so. I will never forget the words of Elder Call, "The success is in the invitation." I took from that, to be BOLD. Talk to everyone. Family and friends. All we are expected to do is invite! That is our purpose as missionaries, as members "Invite others to come unto Christ". You never know what effect you will have on someone. Like that woman from Short Hills.. she had 6 or 7 different run-ins with Mormons. We never know, but God knows. We just need the faith to try, to invite. Great things will come to pass!

The italian is going well! I am learning the doctrine more than I ever have! Everyday I am fascinated by the things I learn from my teachers. We love our teachers! They each contribute something we need. Luigi has a baptismal date. He prayed at the end of the lesson and called us angels. It was so sweet.

I accidentally wrote in Fratello Mortenson's PMG the other day. When I realized the mistake, I told him, "Um I have a problem.... I wrote in your PMG......in pink and light blue pen." Couldn't find my regular pen that day). Fratello Mortenson being the gem that he is, made me sign it. He is so sweet. We seriously could not have asked for better teachers.

Fratello Mortenson is the most fantastic actor ever. He is Luigi and he is the most perfect little italian man ever. He hunches his back over and talks very quickly with a sllurred accent. When Sorella Price showed her picture of the Plan of Salvation and we pointed out the part of our life on earth. (there was a pathetic picture of an earth). He asked "Where is Italy?" (refferring to the earth) He then drew it in for us. HAHA

Also when the the Anziani were teaching him about Tithing. He then pulled a 20 dollar bill out of his pocket and tried to give it to them. Hahha tricky little Fratello Mortenson.

Life is so great!. I  feel so happy here!! love you all so much! Be nice to Maisy!!

Love,
Sorella Clyde