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
No comments:
Post a Comment