Elephant

Hey all you people. Hey all you people (spongebob reference-thats for you Lynz, Phil, Hen, Jane)

It has definitely been a week of nothing and everything. Sorella Bair was sick for a lot of the week, so there was a lot of staying in. We were finally able to get out to work on Friday again. It is AMAZING the difference in happiness level when you are doing the Lords work. The work is so happy!

Since Sorella Bair was sick we had to cancel our appointment with Luigi. Sorella Amato was furious since this was the third time cancelling (not our faults totally), so she called to express her opinions. Well I happened to answer the phone and I had an italian woman yell in my ear for 13 minutes. There were several times that I had to hold the phone away from my ear (in the meantime thinking to myself...."Where am I? What is happening??") On top of that, she speaks like a million miles an hour, so Sorella Bair would feed me lines to say. It was probably the scariest thing I have ever encountered. I felt like I had had a heart attack or something. OOh and it was in the middle of personal study, so I immediately turned to 3 Nephi 17 to help boost myself following the phonecall. Phew. 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were awesome. Friday, we went with some of the women from the American sigonella branch to Annas house to learn how to make REAL italian pizza. It was so fun. It was definitely one of those nights where you lose track of time heh heh. (yeah, definitely didnt make that 930 curfew) BUT, we had the senior couple, the Clarks with us so it was totally justified. I havent mentioned the Clarks yet. They are so wonderful, they are like our little grandparents. They say "I love you" at the end of EVERY phone call. I never thought I would be saying that on phone call on my mission. Sometimes I feel weird saying it to them, but what the hay. Yolo. Hah Sorella Bair and I get a kick out of it. 

The night went so well with Anna. She is italian, speaks english really well. Elder Clark offered and gave a blessing on their house. Anna and her husband were so touched. In fact, her husband hugged Elder Clark afterwards! (not the typical european cheek kisses) but a real genuine american hug. It was so touching. The Spirit was so powerful throughout the blessing, especially as Sorella Bair translated into italian for Annas husband. We plan to teach them this week. They are golden!

Saturday we visited the Alonzos. (they are a less active family) and we brought Pina along with us. We taught about the Restoration and how we got an answer that the church was true. Pina shared her conversion story (which was within the last 2 yrs). Man, was it powerful! She said how she read part of the Book of Mormon and then was asked to be baptized. She did not feel ready, she felt like she really needed to know and read everything to make that decision. One day she was reading in the Book of Mormon and it had said something about how we dont need to know everything to know that something is true. She said how the words were so personalized to her and were an exact answer to her prayer. She claims that to this day, she cant find where that is written in the Book of Mormon. She knows that it was an answer from God. It was so powerful and it was a testimony to me that the Book of Mormon really is from God. It is a beautiful, true book and we can become closer to God everytime we read it. It is a book of 531 pgs and yet there are 1000s of revelations that can be found within it. 

I love the Book of Mormon. For my personal study lately I have been starting my study with a question ie. How can I be a better missionary? How can I involve the Spirit more in my teaching?) It is almost humorous that I am quickly given the answers to my questions within that chapter. I am always guided to read the right chapter and find the guidance that I am seeking. Now I just need the whole world to understand this concept:)


Sunday was such a miracle! Wesley (the military guy we met on the bus) came to church! Haha. He had a good time, he fit in with the branch members, he enjoyed himself at the linger longer while playing beautiful piano background music for us all, AND he wants to come back next week! As we were leaving I went to say goodbye, while asking him how he liked church. "Yeah. I liked it." and without me even mentioning anything he said, "I think I will come next week too". HOW COOL. We hope to teach him this week.

ps.We totally had real live brick oven pizza at a members house last week. They OWN a brick oven. Haha where am I?

Love,
Sorella Sam

Do you want a knuckle sandwich?

Missionaries in my district have fun with english course students and their english phrases. Hurry, give me some good ideas?? Kenna, I know youve got some good ones up your sleeve. This week it was "Do you want a knuckle sandwich?" and "Whats shakin bacon?" Haha we heart english course.

Just had a rollercoaster of emotions kind of a week. Definitely probably the hardest week of my mission so far. It is so amazing to see the Lords hand in your life and to see your relationship grow even stronger when you are dealing with really hard, lonely times. I have been so grateful to see His tender mercies. I was walking with my companion and we were lost and I was just feeling really crumby, when Luigi Sinatra called us to cancel our appointment. He asked how I was doing and then he said in his broken english, "YOU, TOO. MUCH. HAPPY." He probably said it three times to me. It was such a small little thing, but it was so sweet. 

The other day we were on the bus when an interesting woman appraoched asking for help with her phone. Turns out she was from Russia. YES. Time to use my russian skills of 2 vocabulary words (come on liv. gimme more). Priviet and DA. Haha I had her speak some russian for me and I told her about you liv! Later that night while doing finding, we met two girls who spoke english (one from Brazil and the other from China). I told them about Steve and Kenna serving missions there as well. It was a really cool moment. The Chinese girl said, "wow small world". Although it seems like a cheesy coindicence, it meant a lot to me and I felt like the Lord was really watching out to me to show me that He knows us. He will never forget us. 

We taught Enzo in a cafe last week. As we were teaching, I noticed a sweet looking lady peering in and listening to us as we taught. She was specifically watching me. She then came over to ask about what we were teaching as she was very interested. She told me that I had light in my eyes and she wanted to know more. The Lord is placing us where He needs us. He is in the details of our lives. 


Last week we also taught Agata. It was a very short and interesting lesson. She was complaining about something that had happened with her niece. I began the lesson with a prayer and as I prayed for her niece, she intervened with the nieces name (which I repeated) and then she added exactly what was wrong with her. Having not remembered what she said, I agreed and finished the prayer. But as soon as I finished, agata was angry that I didnt say the exact words. Sorella Rossell (I was on an exchange) then said, "Dio sa tutto". (God knows all). Hahaha it was a funny moment. 

I translated for a girl in Young Womens and sunday school. It was really cool. The language is definitely coming along! I am excited for our work here this transfer! Catania is so beautiful! 

We visited Sorella Maiori last week and taught a powerful lesson on the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Spirit was so strong throughout the room. It was so clear that the Spirit was there. As I was sitting there, feeling so happy and filled with the Spirit, I had the realization (while in the midst of a hard week), THIS is why I am here. I am here to bring this Spirit, the good word of God to all people. I love the mission. I love the Lords work with all my heart. 

Love and pray for you all!

Sister Clyde

ps. I have no idea what is going on with the olympics, but you should look out for Kate Hansen in the luge. (she was definitely my visiting teaching companion freshman year) haha

Italian Foosball

Picture this: You are having a nice conversation with your companion during planning one night when BAM! next thing you know you are in mid air-not knowing which ways up and which ways down (feeling that Tower of Terror stomach-just-dropped-40 feet- life- flashed-before-your-eyes feeling! Therefore, causing you to scream out and crash to the floor! Yep, my rolling chair is missing a wheel:) The worst.

So we teach an english course twice a week! It is so rewarding!! At the beginning of my mission, I felt like it was the only place where I felt I was of use (barely knowing the language). The students are SO fun! I love it. At the end of the lesson, we always share a spiritual thought. We have gotten investigators to come of it. ITs really cool because we are able to develop a friendship and trust with them and then they are willing to listen to our message of the gospel! Oh funny story, last week after english course, Sorella Bair and I played foosball with two our students. It was so ridiculous. Michael was getting really hyped up and shocked refferring to Sorella Bair: "Wow! In church you are this reverent, prayerful girl, but now NO. Now you are like this beast!" (Hahaha referring to how excited and competetive she was getting during the game). HAhaha definitely a memorable mission moment!

I recently read a fantastic talk by Elder Ballard from last general conference titled "Put Your Trust in the Lord". Its definitely a must read. At the end he quotes Clayton Christensen, "Every time you take someone figuratively by the hand and introduc him or her to Jesus Christ, you will feel how deeply our Savior loves you and loves the person whose hand is in yours." Such true, beautifully said words. I am so grateful to be a part of this work at this time. EVERYone can be a part of this work right now. It is so good. I am so excited to hear about the familys experiences! You will never forget them! 

I went on splits with Sorella Fossa last week. Did I mention that we now live with an Italian sister misisonary. SHe is a hoot! Its fun because it forces us to speak the langauge at all times. She is so hilarious and crazy and fun! Anyway, it was definitely AN experience. It actually went really well and I could communicate with her for the most part. Haha

We took a bus to the military base and found a guy who is part of the military (and speaks english). We talked with him the whole ride down and he agreed t ocome to church next week. It was funny. As he jumped off the bus, I said okay we will see you in church and he says, "Yeah. Call me!!" It was really cool. Its cool to see that people really are open to learning. Although they may not be ready to accept the gospel yet, there are so many people who are willing to hear it. 

I love the mission. It is the craziest rollercoaster I have ever been on, but I love it. I wouldnt trade it for anything. 

Love you all!!

Love, sister clyde

We are literally apart of Catania.

Yes... Sorella Bair and I are staying in catania for a 3rd transfer! So excited! Wow, the weeks are flying here and I am falling more and more in love with the italian culture and the food! Its fine.

Last pday we went to Ortiga with the sisters from Siracusa (sister price) and it. was. breathtaking. Wow. How can something be so old and so beautiful! We went to a piazza where there was the most beautiful duomo. It so white and beautiful and romantic. There was even an accordion player. It was such a perfect moment.

It is the coolest most handy thing to have such a secret language that nobody understands. Apparently everyone speaks english in the north, so it really comes in handy when teaching lessons or getting out of creepy sitations. Some however know an english word or two and it will throw it out when they see us. Whenever we go to the fiera (the market), we pass the African men who will give out a "Hello" but when they say it, they say it with a ? so it is more like "HellO?" (as to say "Do you speak english?" because they arent sure if we are french or something). HAHA it gets me everytime.

Sorella Bairs birthday was last week on New Years, so we went to her favorite restaurant, Chinese. Aww yeah. We found our picture from last time hanging on their wall. Yes. we mormon missionaries are a part of the city of Catania because of this picture. It was fun to carry on a Clyde new year tradition of chinese food. So good! The workers love us and always tell us to come back. They even gifted us with an ornament from their Christmas tree.

I skyped Olivia last week! It was such a miracle to see her face and see each other as missionaries. It is so fascinating that the work really is spreading throughout the world. Catania just got a senior couple (they are specifically stationed for the Siracusa mililtary base branch). They are so great! Elder Clark takes a picture every five seconds and then they updates us how many pictures are on facebook. They are so fantastic! Just what the branch needs!!

We visited the sweetest woman this week. (She is less active). She was so touched that we came by. She said that she had prayed for strength that morning. She said with tears in her eyes how grateful that we came to see her that day. The work is so good and we continue to see miracles here. I love it! 

We taught a girl in Acireale this last week. We got gelato with her as we shared our message. As she was backing out of the parking lost, she totally hit a car. Sorella Bair and I were dying with silent laughter as she DROVE AWAY (as if there was no problem). There was a huge dent and everything. Good news is she became a new investigator and agreed to meet with us again:) Haha apparently its acceptable to hit and run here. (EVERY car has scratches and dents). How terrible?? 

Catania is beautiful. It is definitely fall weather, so it is probably in the 60s here. I LOVE IT. It is perfect. There are leaves everywhere and all is good in the world. Fall is forever my favorite. sighhh.

Alma 61. I read this chapter today was really touched by it. Trust in the Lord and He WILL deliver us. Although trials may arise and people may hurt us, we must react by trusting in God and all will be right. All will fall into place and work out.

Love you all! Hope all is well in the states!

love, Sister Clyde