Bonnie and Clyde

Mi chiamo Sorella Clyde...come Bonnie and Clyde. This is the latest introduction of myself. Bonnie and Clyde seems to be pretty well known around here. I get lots of laughs when I do so. Haha

Still stickin around Catania for the holidays!! Another transfer with Sorella Bair. Another crazy week! Catania is BEAUTIFUL! I love it here! When we go to the military base in Sigonella we get a chance to see Mount Etna (the volcano) which by the way erupted the other day (you should google it). Apparently it made the world news. It was so funny. Sorella Bair and I took a silly little photoshoot in front of the huge smoke coming out of the top the other day....later that night we got a call from President Waddoups asking if everything was okay in Catania and that Mt Etna made world news. SO COOL. We laugh and feel so dumb when we look at those pics. Anyway, the landscape is beautiful on the way to Sigonella (its nice to get out of the city) It feels like California! Orange groves and fields, beauitful sunsets! ITS FINALLY FALL like weather. Christmas decorations are starting to go up everywhere. Its definitely getting chilly!

ITALIAN LOVES: Pistacchio everything: gelato flavor, pizza flavor, pistachio on cannolli, just plain pistachhio. ALSO. Nutella. Did you know nutella is italian? AND IT IS EVERYWHERE. They even sell it in GIANT gallon size jars. Its awesome. French toast or crepes with bananas and nutella. Do it.

People know who we are. It is the coolest thing. When we hopped on a random bus the other day, the bus driver made me come over with the wave of his hand. He asked for a book of mormon. WHAT? Coolest thing ever that he wanted one and even cooler that I could communicate with him. The language is coming.

We had lunch with a woman Sorella Salemi last saturday. She was this funny little sassy short italian woman who shuffles her feet as she walks. She had to stop in the grocery store before our pranzo with her. Sorella BAir and I laughed as we realized this funny, *Where are we?* italy-mission moment when we realized that we were in a random grocery store in italy following this funny little woman around. We felt like her daughters. At one point Sorella Bair took a phone call (transfer calls) and I was stuck listening to this woman trying to make decisions and ask for advice. Turns out, I wasnt getting everything she was saying.... She finally said, "You dont understand, do you?" Thats when I just completely broke down into laughter. WHERE AM I? I responded "Sto provando di capire!" (Im trying to understand!) as Sorella BAir laughed at me. Its the comprehension part that gets me. The speaking is going well though:)

Sorella Salemi fed us lunch. At one point she asked me to pass the plates "Piatti?" and I took it as "Piena?" (are you full?) In order to avoid any hurt feelings or contention missionaries always respond with an Of course not (when really they feel like they could possibly die inside) so I responded with "NO!" It was definitely a firm NO. Hahah we laughed and I passed the plates. Sto provando. Sto provando.

This woman sped to help us catch our train in time. The whole time she was saying "Ce la facciamo. Ce la facciamo. Ce la facciamo" (We can do it. We can do. We can do it.) It was the funniest thing. You try saying that ten times fast.

We stand out like soar thumbs here. It is the funniest thing. We really are the minority. We were waiting in the post office the other day and every customer that came in did a double take to look at us. HAHA. Also, some workmen told us "That American girls are the most beautiful girls in the world" Why cant we get compliments like that in the states?? Hahha:)

The italian language is beautiful. The way they say things is just so beautiful and profound. We went to sigonella church yesterday (after italian church) with an italian. An american woman wanted to communicate with him so she made one of the elders translate. It was the sweetest thing to behold as she paid his some compliments. She just told him how he is such a strong member to live in Italy where there arent very many members. She was feeling silly that she couldnt speak directly to him. She just wanted to express how grateful she was to him. He responded something like: You dont have to say it. I can tell my looking into your eyes.

Then the woman started to tear up. Sorella Bair and I felt a tear or two too. It was such a tender moment to see these two people communicate through eyes, tears, and a tender hug. I love italian. Another phrase I have been really fond of lately is: 

Che cose di bello ha fato oggi? (What beautiful things did you do today?)

Really though. The members are so strong here. I am so amazed to hear their conversion stories. They have such strong faith. I love hearing their conversion stories. The gospel is so simple and beautiful. It is for everyone. Everyone needs it. It will change lives. I have seen it change lives! So share it;)

Love you all! Praying for all of you! Happy Thanksgiving!
Sempre Avanti,

Sister Clyde

address update:

Mission home

Sorella Samantha Clyde

Italy Rome Mission

Piazzo Carnaro, 20

00141 Roma, Italia

My personal address

Sorella Clyde

Via Nizzeti, 54

95030 Tremestieri Etneo

Italia

Mission home stuff doesnt come until zone conference. Which is in two weeks. JANE. dont be hatin. be writin.

Armani

Weeeee went to the MOST beautiful place in the world last p day. It is called Taormina and it is pretty much heaven on earth! UGH. There are hardly words nor pictures that can describe it! Oh my goodness. BREATHTAKING. That is all I can say. We saw a Greek Theater and beautiful views of the coast. There were the cutest little shops of touristy things and gelato. We went with a guy in our ward....who happens to look JUST like Spencer. Im still convinced that it is him. Is there something youre not telling me, spence? Wellll turns out I forgot to bring a jacket and it was super cold and windy (which is why we all wore pants). This guy, Giuseppe lent me his sweatshirt. First of all, I felt weird because hes a boy and Im a missionary. Second of all I just felt weird. Well after an hour or so of wearing it, Sorella Francom points out that I am wearing an Armani sweatshirt. Yep, that is in fact armani in those pictures. Im just a little jersey girl in the most beautiful spot in the world as a missionary, wearing a crazy expensive sweatshirt. What is my life?!

We visited a bunch of less-actives this week and some were more interesting than others. One lesson was in a pretty ghetto part of town. We got out of those lesson quickly so we could be out of there before dark. The sweet woman warned us to be careful. Literally on our way out the door, we see this chubby sweet little boy RUNNING at us with a jagged sharpened stick-weapon!! My first thoughts: he is an innocent little child. Second more crucial thoughts: he could really HURT us! WE went for it. Running and screaming down a ghetto street with this little boy coming after us. How is this real?? He gave up after a minute or so and we were free....nope. *OH NO. He is coming!!* We survived, dont worry. Lots of laughs that day.

We had an awesome lesson with Enzo, our new investigator! He is the bus driver that Sorella Bair found on a bus, go figure:) He. is. GOLDEN. KUNG POW. Get this: he summarized the intro to the Book of Mormon in our second lesson! Yes, who does that! Then we taught him the Restoration last week and the Spirit was strong! I was able to recite the first vision and it was really great. He was on the same page as us the whole lesson. He was just really interested in what we had to say! It was so cool! Apparently this is really rare for italians-to get through a whole lesson. He agreed to read and pray and Sorella Bair even invited him to be baptized! He has considered the idea. We were definitely pretty excited that night. Especially....when he brought out a gift for us. He told us how it is something that we love. The only thing that he knows that we love are....cannollis. He brought us a huge bag of cannollis with the riccotta filling and pistacchio crumbs and everything. What a dream come true night. (Okay, we are little concerned if this is too good to be true and that Enzo most likely has a crush on Sorella Bair.. but we really think he is so genuine and receptive during the lesson). So... we will see:)

We visited Sorella Maori again this week. (she is the woman who lives in very poor conditions). She is so kind and sweet; there is always such a strong Spirit in her home. It is so humbling to visit her and feel the sweet strong Spirit that she carries. I was able to share my half of the spiritual thought and I was totally guided what to say. The words just came. I know that the Spirit guides us with the things the Lord needs us to communicate (in any language). It is truly a neat thing to see the members so strong in another country, culture, language! It is so cool to tell people that there a members and missionaries throughout the world!

I had my first Zone Conference and I got to see Sorella Price! I feel so spoiled that we got to see each other! It was so fun! The Waddoups are such wonderful people!

Also Stake conference. President Waddoups spoke and yes, he called all of the Catania missionaries up unexpectedly to bear their testimonies. Oh and did I mention that the conference was broadcasted from Catania to ALL OF SICILY! All of Sicily saw me on Tv (all members of the church I guess). It went well. Haha. The fun little italian choir of members and missionaries sang as well. Those italians have some pretty interesting voices, Ill say:)

Life is so good! No time left!! VI VOGLIO BENE!!!

Love,

Sister Clyde

sono al setimo cielo

I am in 7th heaven (on cloud 9) Cute! right??

This week flew! Wow. I am shocked! So many more crazy adventures to share.

Pranzo with Sorella Casella
First of all, Italians really do get offended if you dont eat EVERYTHING they make for you. No need to worry, I was a good little girl and ate everything, although I felt like I could sleep for 20 years afterwards. We really were packing it all in, Haha. We went with one sister who could hardly finish her first course. Pretty sure, Sorella Casella asked us *So do you like it?* like 10 times and then whenever she had fear based on how quickly we ate our food or the looks on our faces, she would ask *So do you NOT like it??* It was ridiculous. One of the sisters was really struggling and even snuck her food onto another sisters place when Sorella Casella wasnt looking, but she noticed and jokingly shoved her fist to the sisters head. When fruit was served, we had the opportunity to self serve...so this one sister was definitely pleased. Sorella Casella glared at the sister, all three of us glanced over to see that she had placed one little pathetic piece of melon on her plate, and all burst into laughs. Sorella Casella told us that next time we should tell her what to cook. THAT was not even the problem. The food was amazing. HAha italians.

We had another appointment with Mr. Roman. It went pretty well. He has a short attention span, but we had some progress. He ended the lesson by giving us bracelets and telling us that we can never take them off, even when we go home to America. He also took our fortunes and told us that we would each live until we are 85 years old. Sorella Bair said *YES. and high fived me.* Then he looked at my hand, pointed to the freckle on my hand and made me kiss it. Then, based on that freckle, I would be RICH. If that wasnt weird and random enough, two seconds later I experienced a bird dropping on my foot. Twas a splendid lesson:)

Italian church. It is seriously the most interesting thing I have ever witnessed. There are a lot of issues with talking during sacrament meeting that have been addressed. I find it so funny. During relief society (since I dont understand a lot of whats going on) it will be peaceful at one moment and then the next it will burst into arguing and yelling (or what appears to be arguing). It just erupts out of nowhere. 

Miracles are everywhere. We prayed for the bus to come on Saturday night and as soon as we ended our prayer, a bus had appeared. We asked the driver if he was going to Piazza Sanzio (where we would need to take another bus), he was not but he offered to take us ALL the back to our street! HAha italians are such kind people. Sorella Bair even taught him a lesson (as he drove). It was so awesome! 

Although I am loving Italy, we are spoiled enough to have an American ward in our zone (at the military base) so we went to an American familys for dinner. It was such a treat to walk on real carpet and eat American food. There was such a strong spirit in their home. 

Sorella Bair and I went to a chinese restaurant for lunch last week! It was such an interesting experience. We were the only ones in the restaurant because it was during Italian Pranzo when everyone goes home for three and a half hours. As we searched the menu, we began to hear a very familiar tune... that was none other than Back Street Boys. Aww yeah. But ohhh no. Were missionaries! They put on a whole american playlist, just for us. Haha. At that moment I realized how interesting everything was. We are missionaries in Italy, eating in a Chinese restaurant, and listening to American music. They even took our picture and put it on facebook. TAG ME. Haha scherzo. 

We shared the three videos, Patterns of Light by Elder Bednar with some of our investigators this last week. They are powerful! I loved the last one. For the most part, it takes some time to get answers to our prayers (similar to a sunrise), but I loved how he said that you can always discern the light- meaning the Lord is always there beside you D&C 68:6. It is so true. At times, the things that we go through seem unending and impossible but we must understand that the Lord is always with us. He has a plan for each of us. He knows all. I know that prayer is so real. I have seen that more than ever since I have been here. God answers our prayers, always.

The work is tough, but we are loving it We tried committing Tina to baptism last week and she kept saying her usual, *Maybe* inserted into her italian sentences.... so we will see. Shes not real, but thats totally cool. I hope to send a video of her real soon. She is very interesting. The language is coming. Zone conference this week! sorella Price is in my zone, so I get to see her and we get to share our simple testimonies together!! Cant believe how fast time goes! I love you all! Have a wonderful week! Keep sharing the good word of God! 

Love,
Sorella Clyde 

Halloween is Real in Italy

Ciao!!

Yes. Halloween is coming to Italy. Its only a matter of time. There were many windows decked out with pumpkins and halloween greatness, it always made Sorella Bair and me so happy. I dont think I have ever been as excited for a holiday.... especially when the Sigonella base (americans) gave us AMERICAN CANDY, too much in fact. 

Halloween was so memorable. We met Mr Roman (the bangladash man) and taught him...after he sang to us in bangladeshian. When I told him Happy Halloween and explained that it was an American holiday, his response was priceless *Oh my goodness!!! Congratulations!* as I shooked both of our hands. Never, had that kind of response before. (Maybe for Independence day, but I guess Ill take it for this holiday too haha) 

Mr Roman is the most interesting man. He just loves life as he sells his hand made bracelets on the streets while wearing the same shirt with a Mary Poppins outline on the front. He wants to meet with us every week.. we have suspicion that it is only for friendship, so we will see.

We taught Rosario and Valeria again this week! They are so golden but they are not ready to commit to baptism yet. We wnated to have a powerful lesson where we could somehow bring up baptism but also where we could establish a good relationship with them. I prayed so hard that I would be able to understand and communicate with them. 10 minutes before the lesson I had the idea to not even mention baptism until our next visit (so as to not scare them off), but to leave them an impegno (commitment) to read 2 Nephi 31. It sounded perfect. 

Everything went so well!! They were really receptive to the lesson and I could understand them for the most part, and then I gave them the chapter to read. (totally not expecting them to flip to the chapter) Well they did. And the first line of the intro was *Gesu fu battezzato*. It was so obvious! Hahah my reasoning behind it was that this chapter would help us build our faith like the Brother of Jared (who we were just teaching about). All is well though!

Ingrid Alvez,  a less active woman took us to see castles and volcanic rock on Halloween! It was so beautiful!! Oh and apparently it was the spot where the story of Cyclops originated. Best halloween adventure ever. YES. There are volcanoes in italy. The closest is Mt Etna. I definitely plan to make my way there eventually! Sister alvez loved soakig in the peace of nature. She loves just pondering in nature! It was so inspiring. Gods creations are so pleasant and peaceful.

There was a halloween festa for the ward! I made orange rice krispie treats topped with orange and brown m&ms...fancy I know. Haha. No but seriously. They were the hit of the night. I had so many italians coming up to me, asking for the recipe. Haha who woulda thought the easiest dessert in the world would have been the first treat gone at an italian party?? Thanks mom. 

Saturday night we had an interesting appointment planned. Sister Francom described this womans house as the most atrocious thing she ever laid eyes on. She warned us about the horrible things and food that we might be served. I kind of dreaded it all day long. We giggled on the way over about how we would deal with it. I prayed to have a love for this woman, Sister Maiori, even though her home was so nasty.

Yes, the entrance way was the scariest thing I have experienced in a while and her home was very dirty, but this woman was so kind. It was a very humbling experience as she asked us to sing hymns with her. The first hymn she suggested was Because I Have Been Given Much. I was overcome with emotion. This woman who has next to nothing and a bedridden husband, has asked us to sing this song. This woman opened my eyes to God and how grateful I am for life and for the gospel. Although this womans home was very dirty and poor, I felt such a special Spirit as this woman shared her testimony and the miracles she has been blessed with. It was so touching. God is so wonderful! and the Saints are so strong here! 

Okay. There are four things I have learned as a missionary.

1. so much running required!
2. days ARE SO COLORFUL AND NEW
3. times flies faster every week
4. Miracles are everywhere.

I am so grateful to be here. I love the work! I love the Lord. I know that Christ lives. 

Love you all!

Sorella Clyde